Eileen Gu quickly pivots back to her modeling career after the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she won two silvers and a gold.

What happened?

The 22-year-old Olympic freestyle skier stayed in Milan to attend Milan Fashion Week, which runs from February 24 to March 2.
She has been a model for several top brands, including Louis Vuitton, Victoria's Secret, and Gucci.

Why it matters for Eileen Gu

Gu's decision to represent China at the Olympics sparked controversy, despite growing up in northern California and attending Stanford University.
She has faced physical assault, robbery, and death threats over her decision, as reported in an interview with The Athletic.

What comes next?

Eileen Gu is signed with agency IMG and has modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2025 issue, and appeared on the covers of Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, Elle, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue.
She plans to explore her femininity through fashion and put it in juxtaposition with skiing and sports.
And she's wasting no time, hitting the streets of Milan in a silk white gown and leather jacket on Wednesday.
Gu secured three silvers and three golds between her two Olympics, plus a record 20 World Cup wins, making her the most decorated freestyle skier.
She told France24 that she's excited to explore other avenues and be creative through fashion.
So, Gu's future in both sports and fashion looks bright, with her attending Milan Fashion Week and sharing her plans for the next week.
But her past has been marked by controversy, including an incident where she was attacked on the street at the age of 15 for her decision to represent China.
As she moves forward, Gu will likely continue to face scrutiny over her decision, but for now, she's focused on her modeling career and exploring her passion for fashion.
Gu's plans include representing the coexistence of sports and fashion, which she hopes to showcase in Milan.
She's young and energetic, with a body that's physically capable of handling the demands of both sports and modeling, as she noted in an interview.
Gu's record 20 World Cup wins and three Olympic golds make her a force to be reckoned with in the sports world.
And with her modeling career taking off, she's sure to make a splash in the fashion world as well.