“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.” Simone Biles was a vision in glittering royal blue as she walked the red carpet at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre for the 2025 ESPY Awards.
The record-breaking Olympic gymnast shone in a custom Athleta by Zac Posen gown. It was a body-hugging floor-length design with short sleeves that mimicked the stretchy fit of a gymnastics leotard. The dress also boasted a sleek open back, which Posen designed to resemble one of Biles’s favorite Athleta pieces, the Transcend open-back tee. The gown’s glow came not from the Swarovski crystals used to bedazzle leotards but from the hundreds of small light bugle beads that covered it all over. Each bead was hand stitched and took more than 25 artisans over 1,000 hours to complete. “For this piece, I wanted to create something that speaks to her power, her movement, and her identity,” Posen said. “Using Athleta’s performance fabric allowed me to explore a new kind of couture—one that marries functionality with elegance.”
Biles wore the dress with black leather platform Aquazzura heels with a silver sphere charm, plus a white watch and layers of Effy diamonds, including dangly earrings and several rings. She had her hair styled in a wavy bob and capped off her look with a luxurious French manicure. “Working with Zac Posen on this dress was such a special experience. It was our first time collaborating, and I loved how we each brought something unique to the table,” Biles said.
Their collaboration was a natural next step for both the athlete and the designer. Biles is a longtime Athleta face and partner and has launched capsule collections with the brand before. Posen, meanwhile, is Gap Inc.’s creative director, and the house owns various iconic brands, including Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta.
When Fashion Meets Fierce
Simone Biles didn’t just show up at the 2025 ESPY Awards—she made a statement. Not with words, not even with flips, but with fashion. Draped in a gown that blurred the lines between athleticism and haute couture, Biles turned heads and rewrote the red carpet rules.
Designed by Zac Posen for Athleta, the gown was nothing short of iconic—a leotard-inspired silhouette drenched in shimmering beads that reflected her journey from gymnast to global symbol of strength, elegance, and self-expression. Let’s dive deep into this unforgettable fashion moment that’s taking the internet by storm.
Simone Biles’s ESPYs Look: A Gown That Defied Convention
Not Just a Dress—A Statement of Power
Simone Biles didn’t wear a typical red carpet gown. She wore her story. The piece, created in collaboration between designer Zac Posen and performance-wear brand Athleta, was more than just aesthetically pleasing—it was symbolic.
The gown mimicked the structure of a leotard, the essential garment of her sport, and was adorned with thousands of hand-embroidered beads that caught the light like her gold medals catch the sun.
Zac Posen and Athleta: An Unexpected Fashion Powerhouse
Zac Posen is no stranger to the world of glamour, but partnering with Athleta—a brand more known for leggings than luxury—brought a new edge to his designs. Athleta, Biles’s longtime brand partner, prides itself on celebrating women’s strength and movement, making this collaboration the perfect match.
The Design Details That Took This Gown to the Next Level
Leotard Meets High Fashion
The silhouette of the gown was sleek, body-hugging, and structured just like a gymnast’s leotard. With its high neckline, open back, and strategic cut-outs, it captured the spirit of performance wear while elevating it to a red carpet masterpiece.
Hand-Embroidered Beading That Sparkled Like Gold Medals
The surface of the gown was drenched in intricate beading—tiny crystals, sequins, and metallic threads that shimmered with every step Biles took. Each bead was hand-sewn, reflecting the precision and discipline of Biles’s routines.
Strategic Support and Stretch for a Night of Comfort and Glamour
What made the gown even more impressive? It wasn’t just beautiful—it was comfortable. The design incorporated stretch panels and athletic-grade fabric, ensuring that Biles could move freely, dance, pose, and celebrate without constraint.
The Symbolism Behind the Look
Reclaiming the Leotard
For years, Biles’s leotard has symbolized her place in gymnastics. On the ESPYs red carpet, she reclaimed that narrative, transforming the leotard into an emblem of grace, style, and independence.
Beads as Metaphor
Each bead could be seen as a metaphor—every moment of pain, perseverance, and victory sewn into the fabric. The sparkle was more than just glitz; it was resilience glimmering in front of flashing cameras.
From Gym Floor to Fashion’s Big Stage
Biles transitioned from the arena to the red carpet while staying true to her roots. Her fashion didn’t erase her past—it embraced it, celebrated it, and elevated it.
Red Carpet Reactions: Social Media and Celebs Can’t Get Enough
Twitter Called It “Leotard Couture”
Almost instantly, #SimoneBiles trended on X (formerly Twitter), with fans and fashion critics alike dubbing the look “Leotard Couture.” From fitness enthusiasts to style editors, everyone was obsessed.
Fellow Celebrities Were Gagged
A-listers couldn’t stop staring. From Serena Williams to Zendaya, celebs applauded Biles for bringing something fresh to the carpet—something that felt real, relevant, and revolutionary.
Fashion Critics Gave It a Perfect 10
Publications like Vogue, WWD, and ELLE praised the gown as a “game-changer,” calling it one of the most innovative red carpet moments of the decade.
Why This Gown Will Be Remembered
Breaking Barriers in Red Carpet Fashion
Simone’s ESPYs gown wasn’t just a great look—it was a cultural pivot. It showed that athletic identity can live harmoniously with high fashion, and that performance wear isn’t just for the gym anymore.
Athleta’s Big Fashion Leap
This also marked Athleta’s entrance into high fashion spaces, setting a precedent for other performance brands. Who says yoga brands can’t go couture?
Zac Posen’s Triumphant Return
After taking a brief hiatus from fashion, this collaboration marked a brilliant return for Zac Posen, blending technical skill with emotional storytelling in fabric form.
The Future of Fashion? Functional and Fierce
Fashion That Moves With You
Biles’s gown signals a shift toward functional glamour—clothes that allow movement without sacrificing aesthetics. This is fashion made to empower, not restrict.
Celebrating Individuality Through Design
This look wasn’t off the rack—it was personal, tailored to Biles’s body, story, and spirit. And that’s where fashion is headed: custom, expressive, and unapologetically authentic.
The Rise of Activewear-Inspired Couture
From tracksuits at fashion week to sneakers on runways, the boundary between streetwear, activewear, and couture is dissolving—and Biles’s gown is leading that revolution.
Conclusion: Simone Biles Didn’t Just Wear a Gown—She Wore a Movement
In a world where red carpets can feel like a parade of sameness, Simone Biles’s ESPYs gown was a breath of fresh, bead-studded air. Designed by Zac Posen and Athleta, the dress proved that fashion can be fierce, functional, and full of meaning.
She didn’t just walk the carpet—she commanded it, flipping the narrative on what it means to be glamorous, athletic, and unstoppable.
