It’s the final Friday of the 2024 Olympics, and Simone Biles–arguably the most visible athlete of the entire Games–is sitting in a glam chair at a photoshoot for her partner, the sports and leisurewear brand Athleta. The soft Parisian summer light floats in through the door, mingling with the vanity mirror’s bulbs; Biles is at ease, and downright glowing. As she should be: she has just won multiple medals, including the women’s gymnastics team and individual all-around competitions.
“We needed these Games,” she says, almost with an exhale. “It’s been like a little bit of world peace. And since we didn’t have this quite in Tokyo, everyone was so hyped for this Olympics. I do think this one will go down in history.”
Biles, who has worked with Athleta since 2021, is launching a new collection today with the popular GAP-owned label. She is in this Paris apartment to photograph a small campaign for its debut. “Since it comes out close to the fall, we tried to keep it pretty neutral,” Biles says. “But there’s still a nice pop of color, and, all together, I think it’s something that looks nice for the season.” Her diamond-studded goat necklace–which she started wearing to much fanfare after her wins–flashes as a makeup artist applies a bit of eye-shadow. “Athleta is for women, by women. They know exactly what to do to kind of make it go from the gym to work, work to the gym, back and forth. I honestly partnered with them because they support me and me all of endeavors… they were like, well, what do you want outside of the gym?”
Women LocationCourtesy of Athleta
Women LocationCourtesy of Athleta
The collection features pieces such as an aviator jacket, a hoodie, and leggings (with lots of the color navy). Each item is in line with Biles’s own eye and style. “Even if I have to dress up, I’ll try to make it it, like, a chic athleisurewear look,” she says.
Paris had been a banner, affirming Games for Biles–it’s no wonder she’s in high spirits. After suffering three years ago from the “twisties,” a disorienting mental block, and pulling out of Tokyo, she returned to the Olympic spotlight in apex form; Biles took the above-mentioned golds, plus a gold in vault and a silver in the floor exercise. At that event–now mired in controversy following a late decision that forced Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal–there was, at least, a happy start: Biles and Chiles went viral for “bowing” to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who placed first (and who is Biles most dangerous competitor).
“That’s who Jordan and I are as people,” Biles says. “Win with grace, lose with grace, whatever that may be… We really wanted to give Rebeca her flowers in that moment, because she’s been through so much. And for the first time it was an all-Black podium, and we knew the importance of that–how many girls and boys all of over the world would be excited. Jordan was just like, ‘should we do this?’ and I was like, ‘honestly, yes.’ If cameras weren’t there, we still would have done it.”
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