Let’s talk about Simone Biles and her killer look at the 2025 ESPY Awards. She was absolutely slaying it in a custom-made gown from Athleta that showed off some major cleavage. I mean, talk about confidence and style!
Simone always knows how to steal the show, whether she’s killing it on the gymnastics floor or rocking a glamorous red carpet look. And this time was no exception. She looked stunning and totally owned her outfit, leaving everyone in awe.
Biles debuted the gown Wednesday evening on the red carpet in Los Angeles, a full-length navy blue silhouette with an open back and beaded accents, alongside husband and Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens.
Biles’s gown was designed by Zac Posen, who has created red carpet looks for celebrities like Michelle Obama, Rihanna and Anne Hathaway. Posen oversees overall creative direction across Gap Inc.’s portfolio, including Athleta.
When it came to the design, Biles left everything up to Posen, who she said would be her “coolest collab ever” for an outfit. Biles is usually not part of the design process for her red carpet looks, but enjoyed being the “canvas” and watching Posen’s team alter the gown in real-time—a process that started in May right after the 2025 Met Gala, where she was part of the host committee.
“It was so exciting because I was like, ‘No way this is now a dress and you guys put this all together,’ ” Biles said. “It was a really cool process to watch, because that’s how dresses are made, and I’ve never been able to be a part of that process. So to be fully hands on and see this come to life was really neat and special for me.”
Posen took inspiration from Athleta’s Transcend Open Back Tee, which Biles calls one of her “favorite tops ever.” Choosing to use the Transcend material also brought stretch and comfort to the gown, a key element for Biles.
But the question remained: How do you turn that into a dress?
That’s what Biles left up to Posen, who created the form-fitting look with a longer length and lower neckline with added beading. Biles did not see the final version of her ESPYs gown until right before the red carpet, but she had full faith in Posen to deliver.
“I was like, ‘Really surprise me, you do your work, this is what you’re known for and best at, so I trust you 100%,’ ” Biles said.
Biles has frequented many red carpets throughout her gymnastics career, so she knows all too well the sacrifices made with comfort for style. That won’t be the case this year for the ESPYs.
“I’m actually so excited to wear it because I know that the movement will be there, the breathability, and you won’t be like trapped in something, and I know I’ll be able to breathe,” Biles said. “I know in previous red carpet events, you’re like, O.K., well, you might not be able to sit too well with this fabric, but it looks really good on the carpet. So I’m excited that this dress will look perfect the whole entire time through walking the red carpet, sitting, standing, everything.”
Biles also makes sure her fashion highlights her physique.
“I definitely try to cater to my petite size, do something that is very, most of the time, form fitting, so you’ll see that as well with this dress,” Biles said. “It is so very form fitting, just to show off the petite curves that I do have.”
With Biles poised to add to her prior four ESPY Award honors, her gown will have the opportunity to take center stage in L.A. on Wednesday. Her collaboration with Posen brought to life a dress she knows will make her feel comfortable and confident no matter the results.
“I told him, like, I still wanna feel strong, bold, obviously, the dress is gonna be in motion, so I want that comfortability, that flexibility,” Biles said. “I’m proud of the collaboration that we both came together.”
We love to see powerful women like Simone embracing their bodies and their beauty. It’s all about feeling good in your own skin and showing off what makes you feel fabulous. Simone, you continue to inspire us all!
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