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Few people are more synonymous with American fashion than Ralph Lauren, whose eponymous logo is once again the official supplier of the U. S. team for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the opening and final ceremonies and in and around the Olympic Village in Paris, the U. S. delegation will be head to toe in Ralph. That means everyone from flag bearer LeBron James to triumphant repatriate Simone Biles, two megawatt athletes of far other dimensions.
The ensemble for the opening rite is a dark blue jacket with red and white piping on the lapel, worn with a striped Oxford shirt, blue jeans, and a military blue tie. It’s a very vintage version of an Olympic uniform and Ralph’s vintage look. The threads of the final rite are a bit more ambitious: On Aug. 11, Americans will say goodbye to Paris in white jeans and a white biker-style jacket studded with the U. S. team’s badge, Olympic rings and, yes, the iconic man. . Ride a horse logo. David Lauren, the company’s director of logos (and Ralph’s son), explained that making uniforms that are universal and unique poses no challenge.
Seven-time gold medalist Katie Ledecky shows her form for the opening ceremony. Photo courtesy of Ralph Lauren
“You have all these other types of framing, you have all those other styles, you have all those other personalities,” he said. “You have to find a uniform for the opening [ceremony] and the final, and there are other moods and expressions from them. And then in between, there’s a lot more play. I would say that the village apparatus is the position where you have the maximum flexibility to go from anything vintage or classic to something much more elegant and fun.
The jacket makes a lot of sense given the pageantry of an Olympic ceremony, but this concept doesn’t just come from corporate headquarters. They have been dealing with Olympic clothing since 2008 and that time they earned a lot of comments from the athletes themselves. “They introduced us to the athletes a lot,” Lauren said. “There’s a wonderful photo of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James tying ties. These kids love dressing up. They love the jacket. They reinforced with the American team: “We love these types of looks. Don’t put sweatshirts on us. We need to dress for the Olympics. It’s a special moment. ‘”
Although well-paid basketball players would likely feel a little more comfortable in formal attire, Lauren also noted that many Olympic athletes are dipping their toes into that water for the first time. And when they are introduced to the world for the first time, they don’t need to appear sullen. “A lot of young athletes told us it was their first jacket, it was the first time they wore a tie,” Lauren explained. “And it’s not just an opening ceremony. They are proud to continue wearing this jacket for the rest of their lives. It is a piece of history that they carry.
As the world looks out over the world’s biggest sporting stage, you’ll see clothing made in the United States and have noticed much of the American border. The wool used for the opening ceremony jacket, for example, has a great resume. “”We’re starting to source from Nevada, Colorado and Oregon,” Lauren said. From there, it crosses the country. We weave the wool in North Carolina, then it goes to South Carolina, then Connecticut, and through it all, it lands in Long Island City before it’s finished. So it reached five or six states across the United States.
Participating in the games is the honor of a lifetime for many participants, but the magnitude of the moment is not lost on fashion designers either. Lauren recognizes how special this project is, and like the rest of us, she can’t wait to see it all. deploy.
Skateboarder Jagger Eaton in the uniform of the closing ceremony. Photo courtesy of Ralph Lauren
“In a world full of ups and downs and challenges, we want the Olympics,” he said. “The Olympic Games are about peace, sportsmanship, leadership, combination and competition. Whether you wear the uniform on the winners’ podium or watch it on your couch at home, it’s an incredibly unifying and inspiring moment that we’re proud to celebrate with them.
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