NEW YORK -- Venus Williams wants to leave the U.S. Open crowd in stitches -- her own.
When the Wimbledon winner steps onto the court Monday night, she'll be wearing an outfit and shoes from her new EleVen label. Right now, she's leaning toward a green dress with a white polo collar, dropped waist and pleated skirt.
Williams has become the latest celebrity to join forces with budget-minded retailer Steve & Barry's. The company said this will be the largest collection ever created by a female athlete.
This deal was announced Thursday, ahead of the tournament Williams has already won twice.
The brand name was selected for two reasons, she explained: Her childhood address in Compton, Calif., included 11, plus the number means going beyond the classic "top ten."
"Eleven can be better than the best," Williams said.
Williams is enjoying a career resurgence with her fourth win at Wimbledon earlier this summer, but she's played in fewer tournaments the past few years, largely because of injuries.
What did she do in that spare time? Attend fashion classes.
She's on track to receive a degree from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale at the end of the year.
That education has served her well in developing her vision of EleVen, she said.
"It's helped me understand style, color, design history, putting seams in the right place."
Howard Schacter, the Steve & Barry's chief partnership officer who previously arranged deals with basketball player Stephon Marbury, golfer Bubba Watson and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, said activewear for women was one area lacking in the company's offerings.
"When we saw the success of our previous partnerships, we looked at other sports that provided an opportunity to do exactly what we've been doing on the basketball courts and golf."
