Why Serena Williams Is Using This Word to Describe Her Latest Collection Instead of "Plus Size"
Over the weekend, Serena Williams announced the launch of the Serena Great collection, which will offer clothes up to a size 3X on Neighborhood Goods. Here, she tells MarieClaire.com how she came up with the name and what this collection means to her.

Over the weekend, Serena Williams announced an exciting component to her eponymous fashion line: The addition of sizes beyond XL. Williams, who launched Serena (opens in new tab) back in May 2018, partnered with Neighborhood Goods (opens in new tab), a Dallas-based retail company, for this new announcement. (Williams' Serena line is already offered on the Neighborhood Goods website.)
Instead of referring to this new collection as "plus size" or calling it "extended sizes," Williams has a fresh take on the nomenclature. She's calling it Great.
"I got tired of the word 'plus.' I don't want to be 'plus.' I want to be great," Williams, who, herself, is in-between sizes, tells MarieClaire.com. "I want other women to feel that way too. I wanted to make clothes that would fit a curvy women and have them feel great, let's focus on that."
The Serena Great Collection launched with pieces in sizes 1X to 3X (dress sizes 14 to 24). On Neighborhood Goods and Williams' own website (opens in new tab), you'll find casual black leggings, a sequin skirt for holiday parties, and a chic ruched dress. Though the selections are limited right now, this appears to be her first step towards launching more clothes in this size category. You can shop the Great Collection, below.
Prices for the new collection remain the same as her current offerings—all under $200—a point Williams emphasized during our conversation. "It’s important to me to have high quality pieces without them costing $500," she tells me. "I personally love fast fashion, it's fun fashion, but there is nothing out there like that with amazing quality that lasts forever, so I'm creating it."
The journey to designing her own fashion line hasn't been easy, however, as Williams noted in an Instagram post (opens in new tab) back in May. When I bring this up, Williams shares with me that while it was discouraging for people in the fashion industry to tell her "no," she didn't let that stop her for building a line. Instead, she "cut out the middleman," and went for a "direct-to-consumer approach," by launching her fashion line herself. The approach, clearly, was successful.
A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
When I ask the star what advice she'd give to other women being told no in the pursuit of their dreams, Williams says, "You can’t let that word discourage you. You have to believe that you can do it, that this can work. Turn something negative into a positive."
This determination to bring the best fashion possible to her customers of all sizes is what makes Serena and her namesake clothing line so...Great.
For more celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
SUBSCRIBE HERE (opens in new tab)
RELATED STORY
Marina Liao is the former fashion news editor at MarieClaire.com, where she covered celebrity style (from Meghan Markle to Katie Holmes), fashion trends, and shopping advice, plus conducted original interviews with industry insiders. She's also had many opportunities to write content in other areas such as beauty, food, tech, and even home. Her previous fashion stints include POPSUGAR and Cosmopolitan.
-
Taylor Swift Channeled Midnight Rain at the 2023 Grammys
The pop star knows how to make the red carpet *shimmer*.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Viola Davis Earns EGOT Status With Win at the Grammys
The actress picked up the statue for the narration of her memoir, 'Finding Me.'
By Marie Claire Editors
-
The All-Star Cast of 'The Last of Us'
The HBO hit is full of A-list actors, including 'Game of Thrones' alums and a Yellowjacket.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
The 10 Best Slip Dresses of 2023
The humble slip dress could be the most versatile dress you own.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
The 19 Best Winter Dresses For 2023
They'll bat away your winter blues.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 16 Best Sweater Vests for Women to Bundle Up In
This is not your grandpa's vest (sorry—still love you, Pop Pop).
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 12 Best Fleece-Lined Leggings in 2023, According to Editors
They'll keep you warm this winter—we promise.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 23 Best Leggings on Amazon, According to Reviews
Affordable leggings that take you from running errands to the gym and everything in between.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
The 21 Best Watches for Women in 2023
The real MVP of your outfit.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 10 Types of Boots for Women to Invest In
You'll have these pairs for life.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Winter Coats and Jackets for Women in 2023
Your ultimate guide to staying warm in style this winter.
By Sara Holzman