Milan, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony wasn’t just a celebration of athletic prowess; it was a showcase of Italian fashion, and supermodel Vittoria Ceretti was at the heart of it. The 27-year-old, who has graced runways for Chanel, Prada, and Versace, carried the Italian flag into the stadium on , a moment that resonated beyond the fashion world, largely due to her relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
The ceremony itself was designed to highlight Milan’s status as a global fashion capital. It began with a runway presentation featuring models in Giorgio Armani-designed tricolor suits, a nod to the Italian flag. Ceretti, an Armani spokesmodel, was then chosen to lead the flag-bearing contingent, a role that underscored the intersection of sport and style at this year’s games.
While Ceretti’s modeling career is well-established – she debuted at Elite Model Look at age 14 and secured a beauty contract with Chanel early in her career – she’s recently gained wider public recognition as DiCaprio’s girlfriend. The pair have been linked since 2023, and Ceretti represents a departure from DiCaprio’s previously known dating patterns. She is the first partner he’s publicly dated who doesn’t fit within his well-documented preference for women 25 years of age and younger.
Despite the increased attention, Ceretti and DiCaprio have maintained a relatively private relationship. They attended the 2025 Met Gala together, but Ceretti was absent from DiCaprio’s side at the Golden Globes, where he was reportedly involved in a conversation about K-Pop Demon Hunters. DiCaprio, according to TMZ, was also not present in Milan for the Opening Ceremony, having been spotted at the Sunset Tower in Los Angeles the night before.
Ceretti, however, didn’t need an escort to fulfill her ceremonial duties. She was supported by an all-female honor guard, emphasizing the event’s focus on female empowerment. She herself has spoken about the challenges of being defined by her relationship. In an interview with Vogue France, she expressed frustration with being labeled solely as “girlfriend of,” noting how it diminishes her own identity and accomplishments. “As soon as you’re in a relationship with someone who has a larger following than you, you become ‘girlfriend of,’” she explained. “And that can be extremely annoying. Suddenly, people are talking about you as so-and-so’s girlfriend who was so-and-so’s ex. So it’s not nice to think that you can’t love whoever you want, because of the labels people need to stick on you.”
Born on , in Brescia, a small town outside of Milan, Ceretti’s rise to prominence has been swift. Beyond Chanel, she’s worked with a who’s who of luxury brands, including Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Givenchy, Fendi, Prada, Miu Miu, Valentino, Proenza Schouler, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., and Gucci. She also shared a close relationship with the late designer Karl Lagerfeld.
The choice to feature Ceretti at the Olympics Opening Ceremony wasn’t simply about celebrity wattage. It was a deliberate move to celebrate Milan’s cultural influence and its position as a leading fashion center. The ceremony’s “couture” approach, as described by Vulture, signaled a unique blend of athleticism and artistry, setting the stage for the games to come. Ceretti’s participation served as a powerful symbol of Italian creativity and style on a global stage.
While the spotlight on Ceretti is undoubtedly amplified by her relationship with DiCaprio, she is, as one source pointed out, “her own woman.” Her presence at the Olympics was a testament to her individual achievements and a moment of national pride for Italy. The event highlighted not only her beauty and poise but also her ability to represent her country with grace and confidence.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, already generating buzz for its location in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, has begun with a statement. It’s a games that intends to be as stylish as it is competitive, and Vittoria Ceretti’s role in the opening ceremony perfectly encapsulates that ambition.
