Dior’s new brand ambassador is French gymnast Mélanie de Jésus dos Santos

LVMH has added a new name to its dream team of brand ambassador athletes. After French swimmer Léon Marchand was signed up by Louis Vuitton, artistic gymnastics champion Mélanie de Jésus dos Santos is the next athlete to join the ranks of the world luxury number one as brand ambassador, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games of which LVHM is a premium partner. “She will represent Christian Dior as brand ambassador,” said the group.

It isn’t the first time that de Jésus dos Santos has linked up with Dior. She already posed for the luxury label, which cast her for a photoshoot in April.

Martinique-born de Jésus dos Santos, 23, is a four-time artistic gymnastics European champion, and recently won a bronze team medal at the world gymnastics championships held in Antwerp, Belgium. A medal that ended a 63-year wait for the French artistic gymnastics team.

“Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos has won over the public and succeeded in her discipline through her talent, determination and resilience,” said LVMH in a press release. de Jesus dos Santos was a finalist in the uneven bars competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. After starting out at the Saint-Etienne gymnastics centre in France, she is now training in Houston alongside US superstar Simone Biles.

LVMH officially announced its partnership deal with the Paris Olympics in July, just before publishing its H1 results, which recorded a 30% rise in net income to €8.5 billion, and a 15% revenue growth, to €42.2 billion.

Through this partnership, the group led by Bernard Arnault said it wants to “provide direct support for certain athletes whose exemplary journeys make them ‘Artisans of All Victories’.”