Matildas and Manchester City star Mary Fowler made her catwalk debut for L'Oréal during Paris Fashion Week, marking a significant step outside her comfort zone. The 22-year-old footballer, who signed with the cosmetics company last year, walked alongside ambassadors including Kendall Jenner, Jane Fonda, Helen Mirren, and Gillian Anderson at the Hôtel de Ville.
Fowler is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained during an FA Cup match against Manchester United in April. The injury was expected to sideline her for the rest of the year, but she remains optimistic about her recovery ahead of next year's Asian Cup, which opens in Perth in March.
Speaking before the event, Fowler told Guardian Australia that her recovery is progressing well. 'So far everything has been on track, but I've been really patient with myself because I want to make sure I'm doing what's right for my body,' she said. 'I'm confident things will keep progressing smoothly.'
Fowler described her rehab routine, which includes gym work, jumping and landing exercises, and running or bike work. She emphasised the importance of taking time to ensure proper technique rather than focusing on the duration of sessions.
For the runway, Fowler requested heels as part of her ensemble, despite describing her usual style as 'quite basic'—often featuring baggy jeans, knitted sweaters, and loafers. She also expressed a growing passion for beauty, noting that she has seen how closely feeling good in one's skin is linked to self-worth, and criticised beauty standards that make young girls feel inadequate.
L'Oréal's celebrity-heavy runway event, now in its eighth year, took place during the spring/summer 2026 womenswear showings but is not on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar.
