Vogue100 Toasts Serena Williams and WYN Beauty at The Breakers in Palm Beach

December 9, 2024

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Swaying palm trees and sweeping lawns provided the backdrop for the Vogue100 celebration of Serena Williams and her game-changing beauty line, WYN Beauty. Hosted by Vogue Beauty editor-at-large Arden Fanning Andrews, the afternoon was set at The Breakers' new Golf and Racquet Club in Palm Beach and celebrated the strength, grace, and vision of one of the most extraordinary athletes and entrepreneurs of our time.

Guests arrived to glasses of chilled champagne, fond embraces, and the buzz of lively conversation at Flagler Steakhouse. Williams, radiant in a vibrant red dress, moved through the sunlit space, introducing herself with a blend of charm and her let’s-run-the-world energy. She laughed with old friend and philanthropist Jamie Soros, fresh from Art Basel Miami Beach, who amused the group with her offbeat hacks for outsmarting Miami traffic. Williams also swapped stories about raising daughters with foundation president Laura Sachs, caught up with entrepreneur Tammy Farley, and reminisced with Amanda Polk over their ties to Cincoro Tequila.

The festivities then flowed onto the terrace, where a luncheon table elegantly stretched the length of the shady veranda and was adorned with bouquets of white sweet peas, mini calla lilies, and baby-blue scabiosa blossoms.

As guests settled onto the terrace, Williams raised her glass in a toast that was equal parts heartfelt and amusing as she acknowledged her unofficial induction into the "cool club" that is Vogue100.

Guests were then treated to a luncheon of caviar, delicately grilled artichokes, caesar salad, and burrata-topped heirloom tomatoes, followed by exquisite entrées of perfectly seared yellowtail snapper, tender filet mignon, and vibrant pasta primavera. Ever the gracious host, Williams even seat-hopped from one end of the table to the other, ensuring a personal connection with every guest and transforming an already remarkable afternoon into an unforgettable one.

After lunch, the party strolled onto the lush expanse of lawn dotted by the soft shade of umbrellas, where Williams sat down with Fanning for an intimate conversation about WYN Beauty. Against this verdant backdrop, Williams reflected on the motivations behind her unique beauty line.

“When I was playing, you could either be strong or you could be beautiful, but you couldn’t be both at the same time. I wanted to push that away and say that you can be strong, beautiful, powerful, and amazing—and you can win championships! And, by the way, here’s me doing it.”

Williams’ vision for WYN Beauty grew out of a longtime desire for makeup that could withstand the demands of her active life. “I wanted something that could keep up with me and make women feel amazing all day long, whether they’re at the tennis court, the office, or the playground.”

“As a professional athlete, my life was simple: train, sleep, train. I wouldn’t even call it active,” she continued. “But now, as a mother and entrepreneur, I’m up early, in bed late, on Zoom calls all morning, playing with my kids all afternoon. Active has a whole new meaning!”

Swapping WYN Beauty favorites, Williams confessed her obsession with WYN’s “Nothing to See” concealer—her go-to for everything from tennis matches to the Met Gala.

Fanning shared her trick of doubling WYN’s lip liner as a blush. “It’s why I’m glowing up here,” she added, flashing a grin. The pair also praised WYN’s liquid eyeliner, with Williams reminiscing about her professional days when “crazy eyeliner was my thing—it was how I expressed myself out there!”

As the sun began to dip, the conversation wrapped with a sense of shared admiration. Guests lingered on the lawn, glasses of rosé in hand, reflecting on the day’s celebration of beauty, empowerment, and connection.