A football shirt isn't the first thing you'd expect to see on the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week. But when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo, anything is possible.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's partner, Georgina Rodríguez, surprised the crowd in the French capital on Friday with an outfit that quickly went viral: a dress based on her iconic Manchester United number 7 shirt.
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The design, by Swiss fashion brand Vetements, transformed the Premier League club's kit into a long, flowing red dress, with Ronaldo's name and number on the front.
The dress was apparently signed by the 39-year-old former Real Madrid striker, who now plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Rodriguez has been a regular at Paris Fashion Week over the years, but this is believed to be the first time she has taken to the catwalk.
While the dress, which is part of Vetement's Fall 2024 collection, is clearly a tribute to Ronaldo's two spells at Old Trafford, there is no sign of the United crest, presumably to avoid unwanted branding issues.
On the back, it featured a message that appeared to be handwritten by Ronaldo, reading “For the love of my life Gio x Vetements” along with another signature.
Both Rodríguez and Ronaldo are usually active on social media, but neither has posted anything about the team yet.
Ronaldo himself has been a huge fashion enthusiast over the years and has his own clothing and underwear brand “CR7” as well as a wide range of endorsements.
Vetements has been an influential presence in contemporary fashion over the past decade, with one of its founders becoming creative director of luxury fashion house Balenciaga.
Some commentators linked Rodríguez's outfit to the so-called “blokecore” movement, a soccer-inspired fashion trend that involves wearing soccer jerseys, jeans, and vintage sneakers, although it is a more refined version.
The reaction to the influencer's outfit was mixed.
Fashion magazine Vogue did not reference Rodriguez by name, preferring to focus on some of the other 89 designs or 'looks' in the collection, but did make an unflattering reference to “evening dresses made from tight-fitting knitwear.” .
Gossip magazine Hola was more positive, describing Rodríguez as looking “like a professional model, as she walked down the catwalk with a hot face.”
