Despite being born in the United States, Eileen Gu made the deliberate decision in 2019 to represent China—an act rooted in heritage, pride, and purpose. Just as her technical mastery commands the slopes, her impeccable style and natural, model-like presence have captured the fashion world’s attention. From snow to runway, Gu moves with the precision of double-edged skis.
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Skis on the Snow
Gu first set foot on skiboards at just three years old, taught by her mother. Drawn to the snow and the sport, she joined a competitive team five years later—and won her first national championship the following year.
As her ambition intensified, so did her impact. Gu began rewriting history—becoming the first woman to land some of freestyle skiing’s most technical moves, the first gold medalist to represent China at the X Games, and the youngest freestyle skiing Olympic gold medalist at just 18. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, she further cemented her legacy as the only action sports athlete to ever claim three medals in a single Games—and the the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history
Though she could have competed for the United States, Gu chose China to inspire more young women to take up space in a male-dominated sport. Where snow parks were once filled almost exclusively with men—and Gu often stood as the only girl—there is now a visible shift. Young girls have taken to the slopes with confidence, a ripple effect sparked by Gu’s presence and example.
Heels on the Runway
The snow slopes aren’t her only stage. After making history at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Gu made her runway debut at Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2023 show. That same year, she attended Le Bal des Débutantes, followed by multiple fashion week appearances. When she isn’t walking the runway, Gu is seated front row—now officially appointed as a Louis Vuitton house ambassador.
Gu stands as a striking example of a woman unbound by limits—her life refusing the confines of a single world. At the intersection of sport, style, and cultural pride, she is redefining what it means to be a global icon who refuses to stay in her lane. She glides with intention and soars with excellence, but her story goes beyond medals and fashion moments—it’s grounded in her belief that women can, and should, take up space.
Watch Eileen Gu continue to open doors for young women, redefining excellence on the slopes and on the runway.
Featured Image and Photos: EILEEN GU (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Eileen Gu is a Chinese-American freestyle skier who chose to represent China competitively in 2019. She became the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history, winning three medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics — the only action sports athlete to do so in a single Games — and is the youngest freestyle skiing Olympic gold medalist, having won her first gold at 18.
Eileen Gu, born in the United States, chose to compete for China in 2019 as an act of cultural pride and with the goal of inspiring more young women — particularly in China — to take up freestyle skiing. She has spoken about wanting to shift the gender balance in a male-dominated sport and increase female participation on the slopes.
Yes. Eileen Gu is an official Louis Vuitton house ambassador. She made her runway debut at Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2023 show following her 2022 Winter Olympics performance and has since become a fixture at Paris Fashion Week front rows and runway appearances for the house.
Eileen Gu made her runway debut at Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023 and has walked for Brunello Cucinelli S/S25, among other appearances. She has also been a front row presence at multiple fashion weeks since her Olympic debut, cementing her status as one of sport’s most recognizable crossover figures in the fashion world.
Eileen Gu became the first woman to land several of freestyle skiing’s most technically demanding tricks, the first gold medalist to represent China at the X Games, and the youngest Olympic gold medalist in freestyle skiing history. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, she became the only action sports athlete to win three medals at a single Games.
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