Leylah Fernandez joins Canadian Olympians to unveil the country's Lululemon Paris outfits
Lululemon's first global brand ambassador for tennis, Fernandez was among 19 athletes that gave the brand feedback on the final design.
Leylah Fernandez played a unique role in the recent unveiling of her country's official Lululemon outfits for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Fernandez had already been a face of the athleisure brand, becoming its first global brand ambassador for tennis in 2022, and Lululemon made its debut as Canada's Olympic and Paralympic outfitter that same year at the Beijing Winter Olympics. But the 21-year-old took that relationship deeper last week when she joined other aspiring medalists at the Liberty Grand in Toronto to give the media and fans the first look at the national Canadian apparel for the Games.
Fernandez called it "an honor" to be involved in the big reveal, and per Forbes, she had previously been one of 19 athletes whose feedback was sought by Lululemon in designing the outfits.
"The little Leylah in me has always dreamed of competing at the Olympics and it means the world to me to represent Canada," Fernandez wrote in a post on her social media about the event.
"Even though the Games haven’t started just yet, I’m embracing every little step of this incredible journey and [the] kit launch was a big one. Revealing this special collection is going to be a core memory."
Some of the design highlights, per a press release from Lululemon, include magnetic-close zippers and pull-on loops, as a part of a desire for more accessability for the country's wheel-chair using Paralympians; special SenseKnit technology, which is a high-wicking fabric made of true, whole mesh to promote maximum breathability; and a fresh take on both Canada's red and white colors and its iconic maple leaf imagery.
"Lululemon did such an amazing job with this collection," Fernandez continued. "It’s really unique and I can’t wait to wear it proudly this summer along with all of these inspiring athletes that I got to meet and get to know better this week."
Fernandez, currently ranked No. 28, made her Olympic debut for Canada in Tokyo, where she reached the second round in singles. But she could be one to watch in the medal race, as she reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2022 (the Olympics will be played there) and was the pivotal player in Canada's first-ever Billie Jean King Cup victory last November.
The official team gear is already available for purchase in stores and online in Canada, and will launch online in the U.S. and at select Paris retailers closer to the start of the Games in August.