Quick Read
- Simone Biles wore a custom gown inspired by her favorite Athleta workout shirt to the 2025 ESPYs.
- The gown was designed by Zac Posen in collaboration with Gap Inc.
- Biles won two major awards: Best Championship Performance and Best Female Athlete.
- The event highlighted her influence in sports and fashion.
- Her gown symbolized the merging of her athletic and personal identities.
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history and a global icon for athletic excellence, once again captured the world’s attention—not for her gravity-defying skills but for her bold sense of style. At the 2025 ESPY Awards on July 16, Biles walked the red carpet in a custom gown inspired by her favorite workout shirt from Athleta. The gown, designed in collaboration with Gap Inc.’s creative director Zac Posen, was a testament to her dedication to both performance and personal expression.
A Gown Rooted in Athleticism
The journey to creating this one-of-a-kind gown began years before the ESPYs, according to Marie Claire. Simone’s love for Athleta’s Transcend Open-Back T-shirt became the cornerstone of her training wardrobe. She revealed during a recent interview that she owns nearly every variation of the $59 shirt, which has been part of her routine as she trained for her record-breaking Olympic and World Championship performances. “I wouldn’t say it’s unhealthy,” Biles quipped about her extensive collection. “I would say it’s lucky.”
The decision to channel this staple of her athletic gear into a high-fashion statement was both symbolic and practical. By blending her athletic identity with couture, Simone demonstrated how deeply intertwined her personal and professional lives have become. Zac Posen, known for his elegant and innovative designs, worked closely with Biles to ensure the gown honored her roots while making a bold statement on the red carpet.
Victories On and Off the Red Carpet
The 2025 ESPYs, held in Los Angeles, were a triumphant night for Biles. In addition to making headlines for her fashion, she also took home two of the evening’s most prestigious awards: Best Championship Performance and Best Female Athlete. These accolades recognized her continued dominance in gymnastics and her contributions to the sport’s global popularity.
Her win for Best Championship Performance highlighted her historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she clinched multiple gold medals and solidified her status as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). Meanwhile, her Best Female Athlete award underscored her influence beyond gymnastics, as she has become a symbol of resilience, mental health advocacy, and empowerment for women in sports.
Redefining Fashion in Sports
Biles’s collaboration with Athleta and Zac Posen also marks a broader trend in the intersection of sports and fashion. Over the past few years, athletes like Biles have increasingly used their platforms to challenge traditional boundaries between athletic wear and couture. By repurposing a piece of training apparel into a red carpet gown, Biles is not only showcasing her creativity but also redefining what it means to be a modern athlete.
In her own words, Biles explained, “I wanted something that felt authentic to me. My time in the gym is just as important as moments like these, so it felt right to bring those two worlds together.” Her gown, which featured intricate stitching and a flowing silhouette, was a perfect blend of her dynamic personality and her unwavering dedication to her craft.
Looking Ahead
As Simone Biles continues to break barriers in gymnastics and beyond, her ESPY Awards appearance serves as a reminder of her multifaceted legacy. Whether she’s flipping across the mat or gracing the red carpet, Biles remains a trailblazer, inspiring countless fans around the world.
Simone Biles’s ESPYs gown was more than a fashion statement; it was a celebration of her journey, her achievements, and her unique ability to merge athleticism with artistry.