.%20She%20competes%20for%20Japan,%20where%20she%20was%20born,%20and%20will%20be%20the%20face%20of%20the%20Tokyo%202021%20Olympic%20Games.%20Osaka%20currently%20lives%20in%20Los%20Angeles.){kind=link}
Naomi Osaka is the newest face of Louis Vuitton. The 23-year-old tennis superstar joins Alicia Vikander, Léa Seydoux and Emma Stone, among other celebrities, as ambassadors for the French luxury label. Osaka will appear in the brand’s spring-summer 2021 campaign photographed by Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of women’s collections, Nicolas Ghesquière.
“Aside from tennis, my most treasured passion is fashion; and there is no brand more iconic than Louis Vuitton,” said Osaka, the reigning champion at the U.S. open, in a press release. “It is such an honour to work with Nicolas – he’s a designer I admire so much and we share a mutual love of Japanese culture and style. To become global brand ambassador is truly a dream come true for me.”
Osaka also shared this anecdote via Twitter: “Funny story,” she tweeted. “I first bought my mom a LV bag when I was 16 as a birthday present and it’s kinda been a tradition since. Do I call this a full circle moment? Yes.”
Ghesquière calls Osaka “exceptional” and a role model. “Her career and convictions are inspiring,” he said. “I am in awe of Naomi, she stays true to herself and doesn’t compromise on her values.”
Osaka, the daughter of a Haitian father and Japanese mother, is the first Asian player to hold the No.1 ranking in singles and the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam (of which she has won a total of three). She competes for Japan, where she was born, and will be the face of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. Osaka currently lives in Los Angeles.