FROM the Asian hardcourt to the European runway.
Asian Games (Asiad) bronze medalist Alexandra “Alex” Eala made heads turn in her Paris Fashion Week debut for a quick getaway before plunging back to the WTA Tour in China next week.
Clad in a tweed jacket with black shirt inside, paired with washed denim trousers plus a Chanel bag and black specs, Ms. Eala dazzled in the French capital for the Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2027 show.
Her mom Rizza was also in attendance, wearing similar Chanel-inspired fits.
“This is an experience of a lifetime for me,” beamed the world No. 18 Ms. Eala on a Vogue Philippines clip, admitting that she’s a life-long fan and patron of the world renowned luxury clothing brand.
“It’s so surreal to experience the collection, Chanel in Paris, I wouldn’t have had it any other way for my first show.”
Last month, Ms. Eala also debuted at the Tory Burch Showin the New York Fashion Week at the Gotham Hall in New York City, joining Hollywood celebrities and models Amanda Seyfried and Lauryn Hill.
In red blazer and brown slacks, the 21-year-old Filipina tennis star served as an athlete guest at the front row of the show for the Spring/Summer 2027 collection.
Ms. Eala venturing into fashion has previously earned praise from British Anna Wintour, former editor of Vogue and a fashion icon, last month before her campaign in the US Open, underscoring her rise as one of the world’s sport darlings.
“We had the young Filipino star, you know, you could see even in such a young star how interested she is in fashion. How she wants to learn about it and follow it and I think it’s great. It’s wonderful how sports and fashion have become this wonderful sort of marriage,” said Ms. Wintour.
Ms. Eala last April also graced the Laureus World Sports Award in Madrid, Spain.
On the court, Ms. Eala is set for a roaring comeback in the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open on Monday for the continuation of the Asian swing after an early exit in the WTA 500 Singapore Open as the No. 3 seed.
Ms. Eala, as the No. 1 seed and the heavy title favorite, also bled for a bronze medal in the Asiad after a three-set semifinal loss to No. 85 Wang Xiyu of China, making the Wuhan tourney a perfect chance for her redemption.
She skipped the other 1000-level tourney in the ongoing China Open in Beijing at the expense of Asiad but to no avail as she settled for bronze for the second straight edition. — John Bryan Ulanday