Now that's what you call a ball-gown! Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands goes Gaga at pre-Wimbledon party in wacky yellow dress
By Emily Sheridan
Created 11:02 PM on 16th June 2011
Bethanie Mattek-Sands has described herself as the Lady Gaga of the tennis world due to her flamboyant fashion taste.
So who better to dress the American tennis player than one of Gaga's own designers.
The 26-year-old made an attention-seeking entrance at the Women's Tennis Association pre-Wimbledon party in association with Range Rover in London last night in a tennis-inspired dress.
Scroll down to see a video of how the dress was made
Flamboyant: American tennis player and Sony Ericsson Xperia Tennis Hotshot Bethanie Mattek-Sands makes an entrance at the WTA pre-Wimbledon party in a tennis ball dress
The startling dress included a neon green corset made of parts of tennis balls, with matching shoulder pads.
More tennis balls were then attached to some neon green chiffon to create a Mohican-style hat.
Mattek-Sands, who is currently No.31 in the world rankings, commissioned British designer Alex Noble to create her flamboyant gown for the bash at the Kensington Roof Gardens.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Tennis Hotshot Mattek-Sands is no stranger to breaking the style rules, who was fined for wearing a cowboy hat on the court in 2005.
Wild thing: Mattek-Sands' dress was made using real tennis balls by London-based designer Alex Noble
Breaking the rules: Mattek-Sands is hoping to slip in a bit of her individualism to the court at Wimbledon this year
A lover of crazy fashion, Mattek-Sands knows she will have to tone down her wardrobe to adhere to Wimbledon's strict dress code.
So the pre-Wimbledon bash was the perfect opportunity for her to show her individualism outside the rigid rules of the South West London club.
She said last month: 'I don't think I can really challenge the colour rule right now.
'You know, I got to figure something out. Obviously the white, you got to work with a lot of the cuts. Obviously I'll be wearing my high socks. But yeah, it's always challenging to think of new things for Wimbledon.
Colour statement: American tennis player Serena Williams wore a figure-hugging jade Burberry dress, while Russian player Maria Sharapova wore a red skater dress
'I think the fans that come to Wimbledon appreciate everything I do. I think it's more probably the members and the people higher up that are tut-tutting me.'
Mattek-Sands and Noble met up in Madrid and Copenhagen earlier this month and was open to his idea of making the gown out of tennis balls.
In an online video following the making of the gown, Mattek-Sands said: 'Fashion has always been super-interesting for me.'
All white on the night: (L-R) Singer Eliza Doolittle wore a daring little white dress, Holly Branson opted for a white, blue and glittery shift, while Holly Valance kept it laidback in a shirt and skirt
Going to the dark side: (L-R) Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki wore Stella McCartney, actress Patsy Kensit looked sleek in a long shift, while Sinitta wore a maxi dress and flip-flops
Describing the dress, Noble said the corset section made of tennis balls 'is like an armour, which really suits Bethanie's personality.
Wondering what the reaction would be on the red carpet, she admitted: 'I like keeping everyone on their toes'.
While lots of guests at the bash were horrified by Bethanie's outfit, some applauded her for her sense of fun.
Feeling blue: (L-R) Spanish model Elen Rivas in a floral maxi dress, Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt in a silk Sixties dress and R&B singer Alexis Jordan in an asymmetrical mini
Leggy: (L-R) Socialite Tamara Ecclestone wore a very tight cream dress, Jelena Jankovic looked red hot in Vivienne Westwood, while retired tennis player Annabel Croft wore a blue summer dress
Australian player Casey Dellacqua Tweeted her: 'Totally love your dress Bethanie...u look smashing!!!!! :)'
The event saw 15 female tennis players wearing gowns by the best British fashion designers.
All the dresses will then be auctioned off during the tournament with proceeds going to WTA charities and the British Fashion Council's Princess of Wales Charitable Trust.
Going for gold: Actress Naomie Harris wore a lame knee-length dress, while Ultimo founder Michelle Mone went for a plunging floor-length number
Guests at the star-studded bash braved the downpour to feast on a summer barbecue and sipped cocktails, champagne, Evian water and Jacob's Creek wine - the official wine of Wimbledon.
Tennis stars Serena Williams and Maria Sharipova joined Holly Branson, Holly Valance, Tamara Ecclestone and Eliza Doolittle for the raucous party.
The grey weather didn't dampen the party spirit as the A-listers dancing to old-school tunes on the dance floor until the early hours and play dress-ups in the photo booth.
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