First sport, now fashion: how Olympic athlete Suni Lee is making history

With the past few years for Lee having consisted of constant training while balancing school – until she left over health concerns – overcoming multiple medical issues and caring for her paralysed father, it is evident she is nothing if not resilient.

Hailing from St Paul, Minnesota, in the US Midwest, her spectacular performance at the Games in 2020 cemented her image as one of the most inimitable young athletes competing today. On stage, Lee seemingly has laser focus and unbeatable mental and physical strength.

It is easy to forget that beneath it all, she is still a young woman trying to figure everything out.

According to Lee, that is why she was a fit for New York-based fashion brand LoveShackFancy as a collaborator – the brand’s emphasis on weaving feminine strength into its designs echoed Lee’s own journey.

Lee’s capsule collection for the label, released on June 25 and titled Americana, became a chance for her to explore her evolving personal style.

“I love to play with different styles when it comes to fashion, especially since I’m always in athleisure or my leotards,” Lee tells the Post. “Partnering with LoveShackFancy really allowed me to tap into my feminine side with the different patterns, colours and silhouettes the Americana collection features.”

LoveShackFancy founder and former gymnast Rebecca Hessel Cohen wanted not only to write a love letter to history-making female powerhouses, but produce tributes to individuality.

Swapping the brand’s go-to fabric chiffon for cotton, both Lee and the LoveShackFancy team worked to create a collection that not only employed elevated design but used breathable fabrics.

The collection includes halter neck, maxi and mini dresses in a vibrant pink gingham with trendy coquettish bows, floral and cherry patterns, as well as delicately crocheted sets.

In publicity for the collection, the gymnast is seen hanging from still rings, and effortlessly performing a back bend on a table laden with desserts and flowers. The soft silhouettes Lee shows off with gymnastic dexterity are part of her style exploration.

“I have really enjoyed getting to experiment with my own style as I’ve gotten older. My philosophy when it comes to fashion is to enjoy it and use it as a form of self-expression,” Lee says.

Whenever she has the opportunity to star in a major advertising campaign and work with brands, the main message she wants to emphasise is how comfortable she feels in her own skin as a woman of colour.

“I stay as true to myself and my roots as possible,” Lee says. “I want to inspire the younger generation to embrace their inner and outer beauty and celebrate their uniqueness and individuality.

“Everyone should feel confident in their own skin and do what makes them happy to feel good.”

For Lee, that includes going to her sister, Shyenne Lee, to squeeze in an eyelash extension appointment amid her busy schedule.

“If you know me, you know I love getting my eyelashes done. It helps me feel confident and has become a big part of my beauty routine,” she says.

All eyes will be on Lee at this year’s Olympics. After a difficult year, her goal is to enjoy herself and prioritise those in her life who have supported her – and always will.

She no longer pays attention to speculation about her health issues and personal relationships. “I try my best to block out the noise, stay off the comment section and focus on who I am and what I need to do that day,” Lee says.

After qualifying for the Paris Games, Lee admitted at a news conference following the US Olympic trials that there had been several occasions when she wanted to quit her sport altogether. Her way of finding strength in the face of adversity was to lean on others.

“There will always be critics out there, especially in sports, but keeping my family and friends close allows me to stay focused on what truly matters – even in the hard times,” she says.