- Matildas star is currently recovering from knee injury
Matildas star Mary Fowler is poised to make history when she becomes the first footballer to grace the runway during Paris Fashion Week.
Fowler, 22, is a global brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris alongside the likes of Hollywood A-listers Kendall Jenner, Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren.
And come September 29, the girl raised in Cairns will be front and centre on the catwalk at Le Défilé – and admits she is a ‘little nervous’.
‘Honestly I never imagined I’d be walking any runway, let alone one for L’Oreal that’s in Paris of all places,’ Fowler, whose long distance relationship with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary continues to strengthen, told Code Sports.
‘I’m going to be the first professional footballer to walk this runway and the first Australian ambassador which is mind-blowing to me, but it also feels so empowering.
‘I am a little nervous, but I’m not pressuring myself to be perfect out there because to me walking in Le Défilé is a chance to show that showing up as yourself will always be beautiful.’
Matildas star Mary Fowler is poised to make history when she becomes the first footballer to grace the runway during Paris Fashion Week later this month
Fowler, 22, is a global brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris alongside the likes of Hollywood A-listers Kendall Jenner, Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren
Fowler (pictured, with boyfriend and NRL star Nathan Cleary) is ‘incredibly proud’ to represent women in sport, and she wants to encourage young girls to ‘dream big’
Fowler added she is ‘incredibly proud’ to represent women in sport, and will treasure her moment in the City of Love as it will encourage young girls to ‘dream big.’
The winger ruptured her ACL while playing for Manchester City in April, with the typical recovery time between nine and 12 months.
She is racing the clock to be selected for the Asian Cup next March, which will be played in Australia.
In news that warmed the hearts of Matildas fans, Fowler was spotted taking part in Manchester City’s recent pre-season camp in Spain.
While her workload was limited, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro hopes she returns to action as soon as November.
Fowler also lifted the lid on the unique philosophy keeping her positive during her injury recovery.
‘I have made a conscious effort to think that I don’t have like a bad knee that needs to be fixed, but I’m getting an upgrade and I’m getting an even better knee,’ she said.
‘I have heard that a lot of girls when they come back… it can be up to a year to feel like probably normal again.
‘I feel like 90 per cent of that is going to be a mental block and so it’s something that I’ve thought about and been like, why don’t I just start changing how I think about it now already?’
Fowler was unveiled as a L’Oreal Paris ambassador earlier this year, and said she was ‘grateful’ to be living the life of a globally recognised professional athlete.
‘Since I was young expressing myself authentically has been super important to me, so joining the @lorealparis family feels right,’ the footballer said.
‘I’m so grateful to stand with so many inspiring women to help others see their self-worth. I’m worth it and so are you.’
