From the ring to the runway: Ilkley boxer walks at Milan Fashion Week after being scouted on holiday

Though Paris is the fashion capital of the world, Louis Brow did not expect to be offered the opportunity of a lifetime while enjoying his trip.

“I was walking down the road, eating a croissant and having coffee when this random lady came up to me,” Louis told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“She asked if I’d modelled before, and I said no. Then she said would you like to be in Milan Fashion Week. Next thing you know, I’ve gone from walking down a street in Paris to walking on the infamous Milan fashion runway.

“I couldn’t believe it. It was just like hitting the lottery to have this huge opportunity come out of nowhere and just find me.”

The 25-year-old was particularly surprised because he has a background in a different and far less glamorous world: boxing.

Louis’ interest in the sport began as a child from watching videos of one of his keen inspirations Roy Jones Jr.

As a teenager, he began training himself using a DIY gym his grandad built in his garden out of ropes and tyres.

“My granddad made this Rocky Balboa-style training area with a tyre strapped to a tree and ropes crisscrossing across the garden. It was real old school.

“I’ve spent thousands of hours there from the early morning to late at night to put in the work and push myself.”

After joining Eastburn Amateur Boxing Club, Louis began to make waves within the boxing scene, becoming a Yorkshire welterweight champion at just 19 years old.

After beginning to build a social media following, Louis transitioned into commercial boxing and soon after won a match in front of 10,000 people at Dublin’s 3Arena at a Kingpyn event. As well as this, he had the opportunity to take body shots from his boxing idol Roy Jones Jr.

Though modelling and boxing may seem like opposing worlds, Louis believes his experience in the ring has helped him on the runway.

Louis said: “When you step in the ring and fight, you have to be calm under pressure. I take that into the fashion world.

“(Modelling) was certainly out of my comfort zone, but I take the fearless mentality from the boxing ring into life. You have to believe in yourself.”

At Milan Fashion Week, Louis walked for Bélier, and it was an experience he said he was like living “a dream”.

Louis said: “Looking back, the week was just incredible.

“I was just lost for words. It was awesome, absolutely awesome.”

In the future, Louis wants to continue pursuing both boxing and modelling, alongside creation. He hopes his passions can take him even further across the world, from London to New York to South America.

His greatest advice to others is not to be afraid to pursue their passions.

Louis said: “Try and turn your dreams to reality and choose faith over fear.

“If you back yourself you can do some incredible things.”