Ahead of the Walk Your Worth fashion show organized by L’Oréal Paris, which took place on September 23 in Paris, we were able to speak with Paralympic fencer Bebe Vio. Her vision of beauty as brand ambassador, her upcoming projects, her sporting achievements… Meet an exceptional athlete!
In the dictionary, there is probably his photo next to the word “tenacity”. Struck by severe meningitis in November 2008, when she was only 11 years old, Bebe Vio had all four limbs amputated. Before that, she was already queen of fencing and ranked 5th world in the Pupils category. After months of rehabilitation and far from being discouraged, the young Italian took up foil again and set out to pursue her dream. Nothing can stop him anymore. Today, at 27, the young woman is an outstanding fencer: 5 times European champion, 4 times world champion and twice Paralympic champion. At the 2024 Paris Games, she climbed to the third step of the podium.
An exceptional sportswoman, a true figurehead for generation Z, she intends to change the way the world views disability, particularly through her foundation: the Bebe Vio Academy, which connects able-bodied and disabled children through sports. To these multiple hats, we add that of L’Oréal Paris ambassador for several years. Before the Walk Your Worth fashion show, organized by the brand on September 23, we were able to exchange a few words with Bebe Vio. Meeting with an extraordinary young woman, who intends to continue to make us dream.
You have been an ambassador for L’Oréal Paris for two years now, what does this mean to you?
It’s very important, I’m very happy to be part of this family. I think we can convey messages and a lot of values that we weren’t talking about just a few years ago.
This isn’t the first time you’ve walked the runway for L’Oréal Paris, but is the feeling the same every time you step on the catwalk?
No, I think every year it’s quite different. Probably because I’m growing and having new experiences. Each time, this moment has a special meaning. I’m really looking forward to it and seeing what this year will bring.
Is there a message you would like to convey to the women who watch you parade?
Every person should be proud of themselves. And everyone can be whoever they want to be, you always have to keep fighting for your dreams.
When you were named muse, Delphine Viguier-Hovasse declared: “We are delighted to welcome her to the L’Oréal Paris family to remind women that believing in your own worth is the greatest strength.“Do you feel like it’s mission accomplished today?
I really try, Delphine wants us to be part of this big family. I am truly grateful for everything. She even came to watch the competitions at the Paralympic Games. I am very happy to be encouraged by people like her, who have different values and a different vision of life and sharing. Most of the time, people with responsibilities want to be in the spotlight. She’s not like that at all, she breaks the rules. She truly has the power to change things and conversations. This is why I am very happy to be part of a team full of people who have chosen to change the world.
You already have quite a track record, notably at the Paralympic Games, you are an icon for an entire generation, and a L’Oréal Paris ambassador. Do you realize how far you have come?
No… It’s really weird to take in all the things you’ve accomplished, you know. But it’s also weird trying to figure out where you want to go next. I try to live in the present moment, and continue to dream.
What is the L’Oréal Paris product you can’t live without?
For me, the most important thing is to wear my Revitalift Filler moisturizer every morning. I wash my face and I put on this gel-cream, and the eye contour from the same range, it’s really very important. It’s really small gestures that can show who you are.
What is your daily beauty routine?
It all depends on what I have to do during the day. I will wear the Infaillible Matte Resistance lipstick in red for important moments. I really like it when I wear it. And I add mascara, and eyebrow gel and that’s it!
The beauty ritual or gesture that your mother/grandmother passed down to you?
With my grandmother, I grew up with the smell of hairspray every morning. If you walked into his room, you were bound to smell that smell. One day, L’Oréal gave me the small version. I gave it to my grandmother and she was the happiest in the world, she told me “I can take it with me when I travel, I can put it in my bag“. She was so happy. So it’s the habit she gave me since I was little. My mother gave me the habit of wearing mascara. She wears a lot so with my sister we took this reflex too.
Any upcoming projects in the coming months?
I have so many! I will continue my Paralympic sport, I work with the Italian team for inclusion in sport, it is really very important for me. I also have the Bebe Vio Academy it is a place where all children can play together and integrate with sport. I already opened one in Milan three years ago, and this year I want to open one in Rome.