Parigi takes center stage even in Olympic format. And it could not be otherwise, because the fashion city never fails to impress and during the Games it transforms into an open-air catwalk, with the Seine river serving as a natural backdrop in a show that begins even before it hits the stage.
Forget about tracksuit pants, because for the opening ceremony – the first outdoor one in history – countries have tapped into the creativity of fashion designers to create extravagant, traditional, sustainable, sophisticated, and overall extremely fashionable looks.
If a medal won’t be won in any sporting event, Mongolia has already won the fashion medal: the national uniforms have already captured worldwide attention for being truly unique. Described as spectacular, the uniforms worn by the Asian country’s delegation were created by the local brand Michel & Amazonka. They represent tradition, with hand-embroidered jackets featuring golden symbols that reference Mongolia (such as the Gua-Maral, a sacred deer in Mongolian mythology), as well as the sun, the moon, Mount Everest, and elements of the Olympics, like the torch. Each piece required 20 hours of work, but they quickly went viral online and received applause from around the world.
The French hosts look chic in uniforms by Berluti, a fashion house founded in 1895 and part of the LVMH group, with collaboration from former Vogue France director Carine Roitfeld. The centerpiece of the ceremony uniform is the midnight blue tuxedo, with the jacket revers (sleeveless for women, who can also opt for a skirt instead of pants) shaded in the colors of the French flag. ‘Creators of all victories’ is embroidered in gold on each piece of the collection.
Casual yet stylish, the US team will set sail from the Austerlitz Bridge to the Eiffel Tower, wearing a signature symbol of the American powerhouse. Ralph Lauren has put jeans at the center of the 14-piece collection: athletes will parade in a blue blazer (a bit unseasonable, to be honest) with red and white accents. They will wear beige suede leather shoes. For the closing ceremony, the US designer has envisioned a motorcycle jacket.
The Canadian team will sport total red outfits by Lululemon, with a print inspired by the aurora borealis, while the Czech Republic in Paris will showcase a unisex collection by Jean Societe from Cerny in collaboration with Alpine Pro: cream-colored oversized jackets dominate, complemented by the colors of the flag, with a touch of chic provided by polka dot polo shirts and athletes carrying a glass good luck charm in the shape of a linden tree, a national symbol. Haiti’s small delegation promises to be one of the most elegant and original: the outfit designed by Italo-Haitian Stella Jean pays tribute to local culture with vibrant colored garments. The jacket is understated, featuring a unique skirt and pants pattern created by Haitian painter Philippe Dodard.
A romantic and floral touch for Great Britain with clothes by Ben Sherman: the must-have jacket is summery, light in white, blue, and red with the British flag on the side. Among the highlights is the Brazilian denim jacket featuring a colorful embroidery of artisans from the northeastern region, with parrots and toucans on the back. The Philippines’ attire is elegant: designed by stylist Francis Libiran, the outfits feature a prominent jacket topped by a silk band embroidered with a motif symbolizing national pride.
Joma Sport has designed Spain’s outfit with traditional colors and skirts or pants, while neighboring Portugal wins the sustainability medal with outfits by Cariuma, made from recycled plastic bottles. Italy, where Armani’s style is a must, presents a minimalistic look with a nod to Mameli’s anthem incorporated into the clothing folds. In the realm of fashion, the stage is set for a display blending tradition and innovation from around the world.
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