Teen Vogue
Is there anything Brooke Raboutou can’t do? From winning a silver medal to strutting down the runway, the 23-year-old athlete has a knack for making momentous firsts.
Just a few weeks after winning silver in the combined bouldering and lead climbing event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, the rock climber has returned to Paris—this time, for a runway debut with designer Cecilie Bahnsen. The Spring/Summer 2025 collection, featuring pieces crafted in collaboration with the athletic brand The North Face, highlights each brand’s design ethos with movement in mind. And with Raboutou’s expertise, there’s no better model to bring that vision to life.
Ahead of her runway debut, Teen Vogue caught up with the Olympian backstage, where she let us in on her blossoming love for fashion, her reflections from competing in the Paris Summer Games, and what she has in store for the future.
Teen Vogue: So, how are you feeling about your runway debut?
Brooke Raboutou: I’m super, super excited! This is something I’ve definitely dreamed of but never thought I’d do. So, it’s cool to be here.
TV: Do you consider yourself to be a “fashion person”?
BR: Yeah, I’m very intrigued by fashion. I feel like I’m still new to this world, but I love learning and getting to see all the different types of people involved. It’s super interesting to me.
TV: Do you have a favorite designer or garment that you tend to gravitate towards?
BR: Not necessarily. I’m more into the history and the spirit behind fashion, modeling, and runway shows. But yeah, I’m really excited to be wearing a dress [for the show] It’s fun, just something girly that I feel confident in.
TV: How would you describe your style in three words?
BR: I’d say, “casually put together.” Definitely not super bold outfits, but I like pieces that go together and make me feel cute and are fun.
TV: Does it feel different heading to Paris for Fashion Month compared to going to the Olympics?
BR: Yeah, very, very different. I was here just a month ago—or five or six weeks ago—but this trip is so different. It’s more low-pressure for me, and I get to stay in the city and explore it more. Whereas for the Olympics, I was very focused and in my own bubble.
TV: What did it feel like to win silver in the combined bouldering and lead climbing event at the 2024 Summer Olympics?
BR: It felt incredible. It was just a mixture of a lot of hard work, a lot of time, and so many people who came out to support me. So it felt surreal, and one of the best moments of my life.
TV: What’s a song you listen to before getting in front of a crowd?
BR: It depends on the moment, but I do have a few favorites. I love listening to Beyoncé to hype me up—she’s one of my favorites. Also, “American Teenager” by Ethel Cain is a song I love. It’s a good memory of mine from when I won my first World Cup. And then I listened to that song in Paris as well. The aura of it gets me in the zone and makes me feel powerful.
TV: How do you prepare for a busy day?
BR: I like to start with a morning meditation. It helps me feel calm, focused, and present. That’s how I start every day when I know it’s going to be chaotic. Then, I’ll have some coffee, a good breakfast, and take it from there.
TV: What’s your go-to coffee order?
BR: I’ve been really into flat whites!
TV: I know you’re a North Face ambassador, and they’re your go-to for climbing gear. What’s it like wearing them for rock climbing versus on the runway?
BR: I’m so excited to bring The North Face into the fashion world and to have them bring me into it as well. It’s universal in that way—I wear them on the rocks, in the outdoors, in a casual environment, but also wear them with a flair for events like this. It’s fun to see outdoor and sportswear collaborate with fashion.
TV: What’s it like working with The North Face?
BR: I’ve been loving working with The North Face. It’s new for me—I joined in January. Since I was competing a lot earlier this year, I couldn’t do as much with them, but now I’ve had more time to get involved. I’ve had incredible opportunities. Everyone I’ve met from the brand is so excited to be there and to get to know me as both a person and an athlete. Their support has meant a lot.
TV: Cecilie Bahnsen and The North Face create clothing where comfort and movement are key. What does comfort mean to you?
BR: Comfort, to me, is being comfortable in my own skin and confident in what I’m wearing. It’s about being able to move freely but also feeling powerful and confident about what I have on.
TV: From rock climbing to the runway, you just don’t stop! What’s next for you?
BR: Next is a lot of outdoor climbing. I’ve got big goals for climbs I want to do around the world, so I’m excited to take a break from competitions and focus on that. I’m headed to Italy in a few days, and then I’ll be climbing around Europe for a while.
TV: Lastly, what’s your advice for young people who are ambitious and want to try a bit of everything?
BR: I think the key is to follow your heart. To be able to do everything, you really just have to be yourself first. Be authentically you, and see where that takes you.
*This interview has been edited for clarity
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