Welcome to The Close-Up, where the biggest names in entertainment explain the story behind their latest personal style statement. Technically, Simone Biles’s journey to craft her ESPYs red carpet gown with Athleta began years before she ever met with Gap Inc. creative director Zac Posen or accepted her invitation to the 2025 ceremony. It started on the mat at her training gym, where she would stretch, sprint, and backflip through practice in the athletic brand’s $59 Transcend Open-Back T-shirt.
Taking inventory of exactly how many Transcend tops and matching leggings Biles owns isn’t a task she can fit into our phone call the week before the July 16 ESPY Awards. With nearly every cut and color of the four-way stretch fabric in her workout rotation, “It’s probably too much to count,” she tells me. Even a non-athletic regular person like me can relate to having a piece I love so much that I own it in multiples. (It looks more like a Dôen dress in my closet.) So I believe Biles when she says turning her all-time favorite top into a red carpet gown with Athleta—and by extension, Gap Inc. creative director Zac Posen—was a “perfect opportunity” for this year’s ceremony. “This is what I’m always repping and wearing in the gym and out of the gym, so no better time to collaborate with Zac,” she explains.
The athletic brand’s team was just as excited to meet Biles off the mat. While she’s designed workout pieces with them before, they’d never made a red carpet gown—neither for her nor for any other athlete. And even though Posen had created several custom looks elevating Gap and Old Navy’s profiles during his year and some change with the brand (see: Da’Vine Joy Randolph at the Met Gala or Demi Moore on the awards season trail), he hadn’t yet crafted something special for the athletic label in the stable.
“I’ve seen some of the other pieces he’s made for red carpet events in the past, and they’re absolutely stunning, so I had complete faith in him,” Biles says.
When she was confirmed for the ESPYs, “My team was totally fangirling out,” Posen tells me during a June visit to Gap Inc.’s New York City offices. He had unintentionally studied up for their eventual first fitting by watching her Netflix documentary, Simone Biles Rising. When they finally met to craft her dress, she lived up to the hype. “She’s such an inspiration and she’s been a real dream to work with,” Posen says. “Easy, excited, collaborative.”
At the Gap Inc. offices, he shows me the initial mannequin in the room where Biles said, “I trust you!” and he got to work: stretching a bolt of navy blue Transcend fabric around a form measured to her exact proportions, adding a train that would heighten the elegance without overpowering Biles’s 4’8″ frame. The traditional crewneck shape also got adjusted: Posen opened up the neckline into a deeper, scoop silhouette fit for a night on the step-and-repeat.
The final gown drapes around Biles’s body with the soft contour she recognizes from practice—enhanced by hundreds of bugle beads in a deep blue that pour off her frame like water. “I wanted to keep her really clean and for it to be about her and her beauty,” Posen says of the complete look, perfected over multiple fittings in New York. “I think the beading and the sheen come into it, but it’s really about form and shape.”
When Sportswear Meets Couture
Imagine walking the red carpet at the 2025 ESPYs, dressed not in custom couture, but in what used to be your go-to workout tee. Sounds wild? Not for Simone Biles. The Olympic icon and style trendsetter just flipped fashion on its head—and the internet is loving it. In an unexpected, bold, and environmentally conscious move, Simone stunned at the ESPYs by transforming her favorite Athleta T-shirt into a one-of-a-kind custom red carpet gown. It’s more than just fashion—it’s a statement.
Why Simone’s 2025 ESPYs Look Is a Game-Changer
The Rise of Eco-Chic Fashion
The fashion world is changing, and fast. Fast fashion is out; sustainable style is in. Simone’s decision to upcycle a T-shirt into an elegant evening gown speaks volumes about her commitment to sustainability and creativity.
From Workout Essential to Red Carpet Statement
Let’s rewind. The original garment? A breathable, soft Athleta tee Simone swore by for gym warmups and off-duty comfort. But with the help of a visionary stylist and a couture tailor, this basic piece turned into a head-turning gown.
The Inspiration Behind the Transformation
Athleta Meets Avant-Garde
Simone Biles isn’t just an Athleta brand ambassador—she’s part of their Power of She collective. This gown? A celebration of female empowerment, innovation, and sustainability.
A Personal Story Woven Into the Fabric
The original tee had sentimental value. “It reminded me of the day I nailed a difficult routine in training—it holds that energy,” Simone shared. Turning it into a gown was her way of keeping that moment alive.
The Creative Process Behind the Gown
Collaborating With a Visionary Stylist
Simone teamed up with celebrity stylist Maeve Reilly, known for dressing the likes of Hailey Bieber and Megan Fox. The mission? Turn athleisure into high fashion without losing the soul of the original piece.
Designing With Purpose and Personality
They kept the tee’s original fabric as the base, dyeing it a richer hue and adding layers of tulle, organza, and recycled mesh. The final look? A high-slit silhouette with athletic undertones and couture-level craftsmanship.
Sustainable Fabric Meets High Fashion
Recycled silk lining, ethically sourced embellishments, and zero-waste pattern cutting made this gown as sustainable as it was stunning. The design used 95% repurposed materials.
Making a Statement on the ESPYs Red Carpet
All Eyes on Simone
Social media blew up the second she stepped onto the carpet. The crowd? Speechless. The dress? Ethereal. The vibe? Powerful.
What Celebs and Fans Are Saying
Everyone from Zendaya to Taylor Swift shared praise on Instagram. “THIS is the future of fashion,” one stylist commented. And fans? They’re already trying to DIY their own upcycled looks.
The Message Behind the Gown
Fashion With a Purpose
Simone wasn’t just serving looks—she was starting a conversation. “We don’t need new to feel beautiful. Reinventing what we love is even more powerful,” she said in a red carpet interview.
Empowering Women Through Innovation
Her partnership with Athleta isn’t just about clothes—it’s about confidence. Turning a simple tee into a showstopper reflects the idea that women can redefine the rules, whether in sports or fashion.
Breaking Down the Look—Piece by Piece
The Bodice
Crafted from the original Athleta fabric, the bodice hugged Simone’s frame like it was made just for her—which, of course, it was.
The Skirt
Flowing layers of sheer black mesh cascaded into a slight train, adding red carpet elegance while maintaining that modern, athletic edge.
Accessories That Elevated the Look
She paired it with custom heels featuring recycled rubber soles, a statement cuff made from climbing rope, and sleek braids that nodded to her gymnast roots.
The Internet Reacts—And Goes Wild
#BilesRedefinesFashion Trends on Twitter
Within minutes, #BilesRedefinesFashion began trending, with users calling her a “sustainability queen” and hailing the look as “the moment.”
TikTok Tutorials and Instagram DIYs Explode
Creators rushed to recreate her look, flooding feeds with upcycled fashion tutorials and “Biles-inspired” wardrobe makeovers.
What This Means for the Future of Red Carpet Fashion
From Designer Labels to Personal Stories
Simone’s gown proves fashion’s new frontier is personal storytelling. It’s not about price tags—it’s about purpose.
The Shift Toward Sustainable Glamour
Will other stars follow her lead? Absolutely. Expect to see more repurposed, meaningful fashion statements on future red carpets.
Conclusion: Simone Biles Just Flipped the Fashion Script
Simone didn’t just show up to the 2025 ESPYs—she showed out. By turning her favorite Athleta tee into a stunning couture gown, she redefined what red carpet glamour can look like. It wasn’t just a style move—it was a power move, and one that’s already rippling through the world of fashion, sustainability, and celebrity culture. Simone’s look proves you can honor your past, embrace innovation, and still look flawless doing it.
