“We are who we are. Nobody can change that,” Jordan Chiles could be heard firmly on her viewpoint. She has never been ready to forget her roots for the sake of something else. Rather, she could proudly say, “I’m that girl,” taking motivation from her favorite Beyoncé song. At the Paris Olympics, Jordan felt proud to be part of the first all-Black podium in Olympic history. However, a significant debate followed regarding the ownership of her bronze medal after CAS’s final judgment ruled her out of third place. Despite the supporting documents presented by Team USA that spoke in her favor, the ruling prevented her from securing her first individual Olympic medal.

Yet, despite being crestfallen, Chiles could post on social media, “I will approach this challenge as I have others—and I will make every effort to ensure that justice is done.” This unwavering attitude makes her exceptional, and it was evident during New York Fashion Week last night, where she made her runway debut. For her first fashion walk, the gymnastics ace chose to wear Kim Shui, a designer known for spotlighting traditionally marginalized women. The brand aims to bridge gaps between different social classes through its fashion. As a representative of this campaign, Chiles selected a dress that closely resembled a leotard.

But the floral print on the shiny wearing filled the gap between a leotard and a summer dress. Meanwhile, the Olympian’s boxer braids did the rest of the job, fulfilling her identity. The athleisure look displayed her identity as belonging to the Black community. Apart from that, in her first ramp walk, Jordan Chiles carried the much-known confidence where she didn’t hold herself from flaunting her tattoos on both of her arms. That’s how she rolled last evening among the seasoned models on the prominent ramp of New York Fashion Week. However, since her stepping in New York, the 23-year-old has made several style statements. 

nitially, she was seen in the usual Gen Z fashion dress, an oversized tan Denim jacket, and cargo pants. The uncaring attitude found the perfect company with ‘Limited’ printed on the back. This time as well, she was seen in braids. Before that, in the US Open, she appeared wearing a skirt and maroon cardigan. However, both times, she teamed her style statement with a sunglass. But when it came to bridging the gap between cultures, Chiles dropped the fancy veil and took up the shiny floral short-sleeve dress. But her sneakers remained the constant part. 

Jordan Chiles’ fall for sneakers is not new. Before moving to NYFW, she had the option to show up in the US Open. While her dress had a big N word printed showing the sponsor, Nike, her sneakers also attracted the gaze. It was the brand’s Shox R4 model, the same she would wear in NYFW. The breathable white-colored sneaker adds special comfort. But if white does not fit the message, Jordan Chiles bears, then she has another option. 

Jordan Chiles embraces her identity and campaigns for it 

In 2022, Jordan Chiles was part of the all-Black podium at the US Gymnastics Championships. The moment felt surreal for her. Alongside that, it made her realize the actual importance of it. In a later interaction, Chiles said, “So, it just made me realize that the diversity in our sport is only getting bigger. Being part of that 9% definitely is something that I feel like is going to be more inspirational to the younger athletes that are the same skin tone as me or have the same hair as me.” Now it has become her responsibility to walk on the line while campaigning for the background she comes from. And it was prominent in her presence in the first pitching. 

Last Friday evening, Jordan appeared in the evening game between the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds. Presenting the host, she came in public wearing Mets’ alternate uniforms, paired with a black skirt and black sneakers, lined with silver. Soon the argument started as the sneaker was the never-seen-before Air Max Muse model, presented by Nike. So before releasing it to the market, the brand found a perfect ambassador in Jordan Chiles to flaunt the style statement. On the flip side, many have said the shoe resembled Angel Reese’s Reebok Engine A sneakers, which debuted on August 30. No one knows the truth yet. But does anyone ignore Reese’s contribution of being the perfect representative of the Black community? Jordan Chiles is in that same lane.