The supermodels for a night, all clad in bronze (not the medal) and gold on December 7, were Olympic stars Chen Zhonghe, the head coach of the National Women's Volleyball Team; Zhao Ruirui, the tallest team member at 1.97 meters, and retired runner Wang Junxia, the former Olympic 10,000-meter record-holder.
Wearing clothes designed especially for them by Mary Ma, a former supermodel, the women said so long to stereotypical sportswear and wowed the audience with stylish, feminine outfits. All three appeared twice, in different clothes at the show at Shanghai River South Art Center.
Wang, known as the "Oriental Deer," notably wore a one-strap floor-length evening gown in gold-bronze-colored silk.
Zhao wore a three-piece outfit with a floor-length bronze skirt, gold-colored mid-thigh shorts and a white top with three-quarter length sleeves. She is known as the "glass woman" because she injures easily, but she strode powerfully into the footlights.
Coach Chen, the first on stage, first wore a shining, silver-gray suit with black lapels. He next wore a casual bronze-colored suit with a white shirt. Confident and good-looking, he modeled like a natural.
The show began with a performance by a band playing percussion instruments made of UPS packing boxes.
"It is truly the first time for me to be in such a show. Although being an Olympic champion has always put me in the public focus, this event is completely different," says Wang, who has a son.
"People usually see our hard training and the moment when we win honor for the country, but this show offers a brand-new me with beauty and fashion sense," she says.
The highlight was the moment when towering volleyball player Zhao appeared on the T-shaped runway, accompanied by two tall - but in comparison much shorter - male models. She virtually lit up the hall.
"She is tall and good-looking. I used to be an athlete myself and so I know how much they want to cast off sportswear and showcase a beautiful new self," says Ma, who was one of China's very first supermodels in the 1990s. She herself was striking in a tight black pants, high black boots and a high-colored white jacket.
"I am honored to design for them and try to give their styles a mature and charming feel," says Ma.
The Olympians wore her "Mary Ma" haute couture designs, no casual wear, of course. The collection of 16 pieces also featured casual and business wear.
"UPS has a rich relationship with the international fashion industry, from sponsoring fashion shows throughout the world and supporting new fashion talents to designing and managing the supply chains of our fashion customers," says Ken Torok, UPS president for the Asia-Pacific.
"It is only fitting that the first UPS fashion show in Asia is held in China as it is the largest manufacturer and exporter of textile products and home to an emerging and vibrant fashion scene, as demonstrated by Mary Ma," Torok adds.
At the end of the show, UPS donated several outfits designed for the Olympians to the Shanghai Charity Foundation for auction.
"We are very pleased that our first show in Asia was not only a great success but also a feast for the eyes of all present," adds Richard Loi, UPS senior vice president for the Asia-Pacific and China.
"As an official sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, it is a great pleasure to bring together Chinese Olympians and the fashion industry. Whether it's serving the needs of the Olympics or the fashion industry, UPS is committed to delivering more," Loi says.
