This Athletes-Only Fashion Show Is Important

Three months into the year, 2015 is already shaping up to be a revolutionary period for the fashion community. Following in the footsteps of Carrie Hammer's "Real Models, Not Runway Models" initiative and Rick Owens' step team, Australian clothing label We Are Handsome arranged an athlete-dominated runway show to display the brand's latest season of wares. Favored by celebrities from Beyonce to Rihanna, We are Handsome provides luxury swimwear and activewear to fashion devotees who adore basic pieces with a twist. Amongst the the brand's most beloved pieces is a ferocious lion-printed one piece suit that embodies the brand's devotion to daring prints and patterns.

The word "ferocious" could also be applied to We Are Handsome's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia show and its inclusion of female athletes with strong, fit bodies as opposed to the waif-like models who often showcase swimwear. The lineup included such venerable sportswomen as prima ballerina Juliet Burnett, and pole vaulter-slash-yogi Amanda Bisk.

Sauntering down a football field emblazoned with the brand's name, We Are Handsome's athletes-turned-models showcased expertly honed physiques with no dearth of muscle. Whatever preconceived notions of strength and brawn being masculine attributes audience members brought to the presentation quickly fell to the wayside as each athlete demonstrated how beautiful physical fitness can be.

Though all eyes were on the athletic models designated to exhibit We Are Handsome's latest collection, the intriguing design of the clothing itself further enhanced the empowerment theme of the show. Is a Sports Illustrated cover in We Are Handsome's future? For the sake of women everywhere, I hope so.

Images: amandabisk/Instagram; sjanaelise/Instagram; wearehandsome/Instagram