Coco Gauff accepted the Style Influencer of the Year Award at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards on Wednesday in New York City, recognizing the significant role that fashion plays in her life.
Coco Gauff at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards held at Cipriani 25 Broadway on Dec. 3, 2025 in New York, New York.
John Nacion/WWD
Storm Reid, a previous recipient of the same honor, was on hand to present Gauff with the award. She spoke of how they first connected as they are both part of the New Balance family, but their commonalities extend beyond that. Gauff expresses herself through fashion while staying true to herself, a value which the “Euphoria” actress shares.
Storm Reid at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards held at Cipriani 25 Broadway on Dec. 3, 2025 in New York, New York.
John Nacion/WWD
In her acceptance speech, Gauff spoke to how her identity extends beyond the world of tennis.
“Being a female athlete often means being told to stay in our lane, to focus on the sport and nothing else,” she said on stage. “But as I’ve grown in this sport, I realized that while it’s my passion, it isn’t my entire identity.”
The two-time Grand Slam winner continued, “Fashion has become a way for me to express who I am beyond the court through what I wear, I get to show a side of myself that shouldn’t be defined by a box, a rule or an expectation. I love fashion because it gives you full permission to be creative and unapologetically yourself.”
Storm Reid, Michael Atmore and Coco Gauff at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards held at Cipriani 25 Broadway on Dec. 3, 2025 in New York, New York.
Kristina Bumphrey/WWD
She concluded her speech, “So thank you to the Footwear News for recognizing me with this honor, and I hope female athletes everywhere continue to embrace their authentic selves, no matter how others try to categorize them. Thank you.”
Gauff was also on hand later in the evening to present New Balance and Miu Miu with the Collaboration of the Year Award. She worked with the brands on a tennis-inspired collection which dropped in September.
For 39 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2025 event is supported by Caleres, Listrak, Nordstrom, Skechers, Vibram and Wolverine Worldwide.
