# Athlete-Inspired Gowns The Simone Biles Met Gala is a Couture AREA x Athleta Collaboration By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2021-09-16 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/simone-biles-met-gala References: [businesswire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210913005928/en) & [gapinc](http://www.gapinc.com) Simone Biles Met Gala gown was one that stunned viewers thanks to its striking silhouette and incredible embroidered feather train. Featuring a sheer bodysuit and crystal chis that referenced the [Athleta](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athleta-2) logo, the design is said to have been "inspired by the athlete's unparalleled record-breaking achievements and perseverance." Allyson Felix, the most decorated Olympian in track and field of all time, another Athleta brand partner also attended the event with [Gap Inc.](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/macys-x-gap-collection) sporting a couture AREA x Athleta collaboration design. Biles and Felix were in attendance with CEO Sonia Syngal, who wore custom Gap x Brother Vellies. To celebrate, support and empower more women, Athleta is making a $50,000 donation to The Power of She [Fund](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skin-care-innovation-fund). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Athlete-inspired Couture:** The trend of collaborating with athletes to create couture gowns is disrupting the fashion industry and creating new avenues for athletic wear brands to explore. - **Sports-inspired Fashion:** An increasing number of fashion brands are working with athletic wear companies to create high fashion pieces inspired by sports and athleisure wear, providing new opportunities for industry collaboration and growth. - **Empowering Women in Sports:** Athletic wear brands' growing support of female athletes beyond the field, such as Athleta's $50,000 donation to The Power of She Fund, is accelerating women's empowerment and the growth of a more inclusive sports industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion Industry:** The trend of athlete-inspired couture is creating new opportunities for fashion designers to collaborate with sporting brands and diversifying the industry's offerings. - **Athletic Wear Industry:** Collaborating with high-end fashion brands to create couture pieces or high fashion sports wear is creating new growth opportunities for the athletic wear industry. - **Sports Industry:** Supporting and empowering female athletes beyond the field is creating a more inclusive and diverse sports industry, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Crystal-Studded Olympic Leotards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olympic-leotards.md) - [Athletic Wear Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nikeskims-collection.md) - [Olympic Capsule Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eam-usa-limited-capsule.md) - [Athlete-Centric Beauty Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-centric-beauty-campaigns.md) - [High-Performance Workout Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athleta-2.md) - [Athleisure Style Influencers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/angel-reese-2024-fnaa-style-influencer.md) - [Gymnast Beauty Brand Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gymnast-shilese-jones.md) - [Olympian-Approved Makeup Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loral-paris-cosmetics.md) - [Collaborative Olympian Activewear Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/puma-x-247-collection.md)