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Serena Williams Celebrates Titus Kaphar’s ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ Premiere Alongside Oprah In Black Pumps

She paired the shoes with a lacy black skirt and top set.
Oprah Winfrey, Titus Kaphar and Serena Williams at the "Exhibiting Forgiveness" LA Premiere  held at The Gagosian on September 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Serena Williams during 1998 U.S. Open - Arthur Ashe Kids Day - August 29, 2006 at Flushing Meadow Park in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Serena Williams during 2004 Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party - Arrivals at Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
Serena Williams during NBA All-Star Game 2004 - Celebrity Arrivals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 20:  Serena Williams arrives at "Cinema Against AIDS 2004", the 11th annual event in aid of amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) at Le Moulin de Mougins at the 57th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2004 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Michel Dufour/WireImage)
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The Los Angeles premiere of Titus Kaphar’s “Exhibiting Forgiveness” on Sept. 12 attracted a slew of celebrities, including Serena Williams, who was on the west coast not long after her recent appearance at the 2024 US Open in New York.

The athlete and entrepreneur opted for a two-piece lacy black ensemble and black pumps to celebrate Kaphar’s drama starring Andra Day and André Holland.

Oprah Winfrey, Titus Kaphar and Serena Williams at the "Exhibiting Forgiveness" LA Premiere  held at The Gagosian on September 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Oprah Winfrey, Titus Kaphar and Serena Williams at the “Exhibiting Forgiveness” LA Premiere held at The Gagosian on September 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Mark Von Holden

Williams’ outfit included a sheer high-waisted pencil skirt with a scalloped-edged waistband. This was paired with a matching long sleeve crop top featuring tied fabric in the front. She accented the ensemble with a silver watch and elegant rings, while she wore her hair out in cascading blonde curls. The tennis legend also modeled makeup from her Wyn beauty line, which launched earlier this year.

A closer look at Serena Williams' shoes.
A closer look at Serena Williams’ shoes.Mark Von Holden

Williams opted for a black pump to complete her all-black ensemble. All the traditional hallmarks of the classic style were there: the pointed toe, the low-cut vamp with a curved outline, the uncovered dorsum, the enclosed back and the slender heel.

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Pumps come in all kinds of shapes, styles and colors, but the black is perhaps the most quintessential iteration of all — Williams couldn’t go wrong in selecting this pair from her closet. Crafted from a shiny leather, the shoe elegantly complemented the athlete’s lacy set.

From Pamela Anderson to Lindsay Lohan, plenty of other stars recognize the innate style of the black pump.

Serena Williams and Ruth E. Carter at the "Exhibiting Forgiveness" LA Premiere  held at The Gagosian on September 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Serena Williams and Ruth E. Carter at the “Exhibiting Forgiveness” LA Premiere held at The Gagosian on September 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Mark Von Holden

While she certainly feels at home in a pair of sneakers, the Grand Slam winner doesn’t shy away from heels when the occasion calls for it. For example, she went for a soft feminine look in a light pink dress and matching satin peep-toe platform heels for the Tribeca premiere of “In the Arena” in June. In July, she paired a satiny black dress with neutral-toned suede pumps, another instance in which she showed off the sophistication of the staple shoe.

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Serena Williams Wears Black Pumps to 'Exhibiting Forgiveness' Premiere
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