Naomi Osaka, the tennis star, made waves at the 2024 US Open with her unique and bold fashion choices. The 26-year-old athlete showcased a series of outfits that were eye-catching and symbolic of her Japanese heritage. Osaka’s collaboration with Ambush’s Yoon Ahn and Nike resulted in stunning ensembles that featured bows, frills, and ruffles – elements that pay homage to the Harajuku fashion scene in Japan. Her decision to incorporate these girlish touches into her tennis outfits reflects her love for beautiful and cute things, despite not typically associating herself with a girlish aesthetic on the court.
Osaka’s first custom look for the tournament consisted of a black zip-up jacket adorned with a large white bow on the back, paired with a black skirt layered over white tulle. As she played, she revealed a ruffled black athletic dress with a coordinating bow on the back, perfectly complementing her black Nike sneakers. The addition of ruffle-adorned Beats headphones and pearls in her hair added a playful and whimsical touch to her overall ensemble. The decision to incorporate these elements was a deliberate choice by Osaka to highlight her love for cute and beautiful things, as well as to make a statement on the tennis court, which she compared to a stage in New York.
In an interview with The New York Times, Osaka revealed that her inspiration for the outfits was deeply rooted in her Japanese heritage. She recalled her first visit to Japan, where she was captivated by the abundance of frills and bows in the fashion scene. This fascination with Japanese aesthetics influenced her decision to embrace a more coquettish and girly style for the US Open. Yoon Ahn, the designer behind the custom looks, shared that the inspiration for the outfits was a blend of goth and Lolita fashion, characterized by pink, frills, bows, and lace. The intention behind the outfits was to celebrate and own the cutesy-ness and girly-hood that are often associated with these styles.
A Fan-Favorite on and off the Court
Osaka’s fashion choices were met with praise and adoration from fans and spectators alike. Her decision to wear the same outfit in different color variations for her matches against Karolína Muchová and Jelena Ostapenko garnered attention and admiration on social media. Fans commended her for her bold and stylish choices, likening her outfits to a “brat summer” look and drawing parallels to iconic album covers. Despite her loss at the US Open, Osaka’s impeccable style and fashion-forward approach to tennis have solidified her status as a trendsetter both on and off the court.
Naomi Osaka’s fashion statement at the 2024 US Open showcased her unique and individualistic approach to style. By incorporating elements of her Japanese heritage and embracing a playful and girly aesthetic, Osaka captivated audiences and fans with her bold fashion choices. Her collaboration with Yoon Ahn and Nike resulted in custom looks that were both striking and symbolic, further solidifying her position as a fashion icon in the world of tennis. Osaka’s ability to seamlessly blend sports and style sets her apart as a trendsetter and an inspiration to many aspiring athletes and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Leave a Reply