The 2024 Olympics takes Paris by storm. (Photo Credit: Cityam)
Those of us who are ardent followers of fashion were thrilled when the City Of Light was chosen to host the 2024 Olympics ( July 26th – August 11th). We knew that every country around the world would have to ‘up their fashion game’ since the games were to be held in the birthplace of haute couture. This Olympic season was also an opportunity for designers to emphasize sustainability in fashion and adaptability, as in designs for the Paralympics.
Did you know that Olympic fashion is broken out into two categories, performance apparel and opening & closing ceremonies? The “kits” that each competing team wears are carefully crafted to represent a country’s culture. From the ornate ensembles of the opening ceremony to the tactical athletic apparel built to withstand unbelievable feats of human prowess, each and every uniform honors national pride. In this week’s blog, we provide our opinions and grade the best opening and closing collections. Next week’s blog will focus on Olympic performance apparel, technology and sustainability. But before we get started:
Fun Fact: Have you ever wondered which designer/brand gets to design their country’s Olympic uniforms? Well, here’s some background about Team USA. Did you know that prior to 2008, Team USA’s outfits were designed by the Canadian brand, Roots?
According to Marketplace.com, “Back in 2008, just prior to the Beijing Olympics, Ralph Lauren signed the contract to become the official outfitter for the U.S. team during the opening and closing ceremonies, and has been dressing athletes for these events ever since. The terms of the contract allowed Ralph Lauren to sell Olympics-branded clothing, with about 10% of its sales going to the U.S. Olympic Committee — now the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee — in royalties”.
While it is understood that brands are chosen to design Olympic uniforms in return for marketing rights and royalty payouts, some brands seem to hold a monopoly over their country’s Olympic fashion, making it hard for ‘Indie’ bands to get a shot.
TEAM USA: RALPH LAUREN
Team USA’s Ralph Lauren Uniforms. (Photo Credit: Ralph Lauren)
Ralph Lauren once returns with his ninth consecutive collection for Team USA. Known for his Americana preppy chic, the uniforms are a mix of tailored navy blazers with blue-and-white striped Oxford shirts and blue jeans. For the closing ceremony, the team will wear white jeans with matching jackets in red, white and blue. Even though the brand features the first-ever 100% Recycled Cotton Polo Shirt, we rate this collection a B-. Feels like Ralph has gone back to the well, one too many times. Don’t know about you but, isn’t it time to give some new, young, American fashion brand a shot? How about Christian Siriano, Khaite, Proenza Schouler, etc.?
FRANCE: BERLUTI
Team France’s Berluti Uniforms. (Photo Credit: Berluti)
For the host nation, designer Stéphane Ashpool, in collaboration with luxury brand Berluti, created Team France’s uniforms. The sleek blue tuxedos have been lauded for their blend of performance and French elegance, incorporating eco-friendly materials. However, while these uniforms are thankfully minus a blatant brand logo, they seem a bit too understated, especially for the world’s fashion capital.
ITALY: GIORGIO ARMANI
Team Italy’s Giorgio Armani Uniforms. (Photo Credit: AP)
Giorgio Armani has been designing Italy’s uniforms since 2012. But this time Team Italy’s uniforms look more like tourist merchandise. The giant “ITALIA” plastered on the front of the uniforms are not what we expected from such as famous fashion house. Sorry but we give Armani a C+.
GREAT BRITAIN: BEN SHERMAN
Team Great Britain’s Ben Sherman uniforms. (Photo Credit: Ben Sherman)
This is British brand Ben Sherman’s third consecutive year dressing Team Great Britain. Sherman’s collection is a nod to the brand’s Mod roots, with a contemporary twist. The opening ceremony uniform consists of a white bomber jacket with navy sleeves and a floral design embroidered on the back. Made up of the rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock, the design represents the four nations that make up the United Kingdom, symbolizing their unity and national pride. I don’t know about you but when a brand places the designer’s name on the uniform, it confuses things, is it that athlete’s name? We give this collection a B+.
MONGOLIA: MICHEL & AMAZONKA
Team Mongolia’s Michel & Amazonka Uniforms. (Photo Credit: Michel & Amazonka)
Ulaanbaatar-based Michel & Amazonka’s designs for Mongolia are a celebration of the country’s rich cultural heritage and are hands-down the gold medal winners for the best dressed Olympic team, according to social media. Their opening ceremony uniforms, the traditional Mongolian deel, incorporate the colors of the Mongolian flag as well as the Soyombo, the national symbol that’s also found on the country’s banner. It was reported that the uniforms took more than three months to complete, with one set taking an average of 20 hours to finish. A+ goes to Mongolia!
AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Olympic team uniforms (Image credit: Forbes.com)
Australia’s opening ceremony uniforms were designed by Sportscraft and consist of a green blazer with gold buttons, plus green-and-gold ombre skirts for the women and khaki shorts for the men. The country’s national colors are on full display and represent Australia’s beaches, crops, and forests. Sportscraft also incorporated Indigenous artwork into the looks and as a sweet tribute to previous victors, the names of 301 Australian Olympic champions are featured in the lining of each blazer. The suit vibe is a bit too predictable so they get an B+.
CANADA: LULULEMON
Team Canada’s Lululemon Uniforms. (Photo Credit: Lululemon)
Lululemon’s uniforms for Team Canada combine the brand’s expertise in athleisure with a touch of Canadian charm. We especially love the use of the red on red digital maple leaf motif, channeling Pharrell Williams’ camo pattern for LVMH. The collection succeeds with a modern sport twist by incorporating sleek lines and minimalist design. For going all in on choosing a sporty look for the opening ceremony over the blazer ensemble, they get an A+.
HAITI: STELLA JEAN
Team Haiti’s Stella Jean Uniforms. (Photo Credit: Stella Jean)
Stella Jean’s opening ceremony designs for Haiti are a vibrant celebration of the nation’s culture and history. Jean incorporated the work of local artist Philippe Dodard into the skirt and trousers of the uniform—a bold, colorful print from a painting called, Passage. She also used traditional Haitian motifs and contemporary silhouettes, highlighting the resilience and creativity of Haiti, which if you’ve been following the news, has been in political turmoil. These outfits get an A+ especially because the sleeveless blazer is made from recycled materials. A super fashionable and sustainable approach to Olympic fashion.
INDIA: TARUN TAHILIANI
Team India’s Turan Tahiliani Uniforms. (Photo Credit: Getty)
Tarun Tahiliani brings his expertise in Indian couture to Team India’s uniforms. The collection features rich fabrics, intricate embroidery, and traditional Indian patterns. Did we expect anything less? This collection gets a B, mainly because it’s too predictable.
The Olympic rings are displayed on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic games in Paris. (Photo Credit: Reuters)
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