Credit: Louis Vuitton
For American-born Eileen Gu, taking on the world began at a very tender age, and she has yet to look back. After starting her skiing career at the tender age of 3, she quickly showed promise, bagging the USA Snowboard and Freeski Association junior group award at only 9 years old. From there, she joined the senior circuit by 13 years old and by January 2019, Eileen had proven her skills by winning her first medal during the FIS Freeski World Cup Slopestyle. After representing the United States in international competitions through the 2018 season, in 2019, Gu made headlines when she announced she would be competing for China in subsequent seasons. During her inaugural Winter X Games, Eileen Gu again made history as the first female to win three medals and remaining undefeated during the halfpipe season. With her superpipe gold, she became the first Chinese athlete in history to win gold in the X Games. After years of being recognized as a top athlete, Gu has now made the transition from Olympian to catwalk sensation.
The athlete got into modeling after a Chinese brand invited her to Paris Fashion Week in 2019. The appearance there led to modeling jobs, including partnerships with some of the world’s most revered luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and more. Now recognized as one of the top model faces in China, Gu has been featured in the country’s versions of Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar. With her captivating story, stunning looks, and charisma, Gu has managed to secure her place as a hugely bankable model appealing to leading brands in Asia and the US. Already to date, Gu has entered into lucrative partnerships with fashion houses and she is signed to IMG models. Currently, Gu is amongst the most heavily sponsored athletes in the world with more than 20 commercial partnerships. Eileen, famously known in China as Gu Ailing, is nicknamed ‘Snow Princess’, and is a bonafide star in the Asian world. Her decision to represent her mother’s home country has resulted in her face on Chinese billboards, television ads, telecommunications firms, and more. Fluent in Mandarin and English, Gu stands in a unique position as a global ambassador rich in culture and fully invested in sharing it to her fans.
Eileen Gu may be regarded as one of the most beautiful models in the world at the moment, but in her opinion, her position as an ambassador that raises awareness of important issues facing her community are even more important. She has been able to promote her fashion ventures and Chinese culture through public platforms, and her ability to be eloquent and poised have only elevated her position a model that is more than just a pretty face.
Indeed, from professional freestyle skier to fashion model, Gu consistently demonstrates her unparalleled work ethic — her passion for everything she does shining through with each new undertaking.