Vogue World: Paris is just as much a celebration of sport as it is fashion: athletics have always influenced style, and vice versa. Hermes, lest we forget, began by making harnesses and saddles, whereas Lacoste was founded by French racquet player René Lacoste. Fast forward to the present day, and Thom Browne has centered collections around everything from golf to football, while Wales Bonner has fine-tuned the perfect rugby shirt. Just last year, Virginie Viard dressed models for her Chanel Métiers d’Art show in Manchester United colors for the brand’s runway spectacle in English city.
So, when Vogue decided to organize an expansive, century-spanning look at the intersection between fashion and sports, athletes were just as important on the runway as models. What would a reflection on the tennis skirt be without iconic tennis stars we’ve watched for decades on the courts of the French Open? How can you appreciate the beauty of gymnastics without seeing the professionals who are muses of the movement?
Below, see all the world-famous athletes who made an appearance at Vogue World Paris—including Serena Williams in Off White, Venus Williams in Marine Serre, Marie-José Pérec in Alaïa, and more.