Going for gold in Olympics fashion stakes
By Chehui Peh |
July 27, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DRAWING inspiration from sources as diverse as a preppy nautical look and reggae legend Bob Marley, designers of national team kits are hoping to have created a London Olympics style winner. Chehui Peh casts an eye over some contenders.
The London 2012 Olympics are set to double as a fashion statement with well-known designers behind the sports and formal wear of many teams.
With the games opening today in Britain - 4am, tomorrow Beijing time - on display will be outfits designed to make a medal-winning fashion statements while ensuring comfort for athletes at the same time.
The Great Britain team turned to renowned designer Stella McCartney, daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul, to design the entire range of outfits for the GB team.
Fashion icons
Taking the European Union flag as her inspiration, McCartney's designs feature a close-up on a detail of the Union flag but only in blue and white, with red confined to trim, trainers and socks. This has led to criticism that the main designs should have included all the colors of the national flag.
Team GB's official formal wear will be designed by British brand Next.
Team USA will be wearing American designer Ralph Lauren's designs, a collection inspired by yacht and tennis club wear which will be predominantly white with accents in red and navy. Lauren's iconic collar design will be incorporated. The women will be wearing an ensemble resembling a shirtdress, and the men a sports shirt and white trousers.
Fashion icon Giorgio Armani offers a take on his sportswear line EA7 for both the sports and formal wear for the Italian Olympic team. Armani's design is elegant, minimalist and will have a palette of white and azzurri blue, the country's traditional competitive colors. Armani has also included the words to the Italian national anthem "Il Canto degli Italiani" on the inside of each jacket, polo shirt and sweatshirt.
The memory of Bob Marley provides the inspiration for Jamaica's Olympic kit, created by Puma and designer Cedella Marley, daughter of the reggae legend who died in 1981. Bob Marley's songs are referenced in the collar stitching of the garments, which are in the traditional green, gold and black of Jamaica's flag.
South Korea takes a sailor-preppy theme in its Olympic collection by Fila and leading home brand Bean Pole. Formal wear includes white pants, striped tops and preppy jackets, plus to complete the nautical look, white hats and bags.
Azerbaijan has looked to Italian luxury brand Ermanno Scervino for its Olympic wear, and the formal line includes strong-shouldered, notched-lapel navy blue blazers and white chinos for men and blazers with red belts and white pencil skirts for women.
The Chinese team will be wearing outfits featuring the red and gold of the national flag, together with white.
Athletes will wear red jackets, emblazoned with a crest featuring the Chinese flag with its five stars, matched with a white shirt and skirt or trousers. The men will wear a white and yellow tie, while female athletes will be have silk neckties. For the 2008 Olympics, the same colors were used but the athletes wore red jackets, yellow shirts and white skirts or trousers.
The award for the most versatile outfit must go to German designer Bogner. The German team will be wearing a reversible jacket, where a brightly colored nylon jacket can be converted into navy blue blazers for formal occasions. The men will be dressed in baby blue, and the women in bright pink.
With the eyes of the world on their creations, designers will now be eager to see whether Olympics fashionistas deem them worthy of a podium place.
The London 2012 Olympics are set to double as a fashion statement with well-known designers behind the sports and formal wear of many teams.
With the games opening today in Britain - 4am, tomorrow Beijing time - on display will be outfits designed to make a medal-winning fashion statements while ensuring comfort for athletes at the same time.
The Great Britain team turned to renowned designer Stella McCartney, daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul, to design the entire range of outfits for the GB team.
Fashion icons
Taking the European Union flag as her inspiration, McCartney's designs feature a close-up on a detail of the Union flag but only in blue and white, with red confined to trim, trainers and socks. This has led to criticism that the main designs should have included all the colors of the national flag.
Team GB's official formal wear will be designed by British brand Next.
Team USA will be wearing American designer Ralph Lauren's designs, a collection inspired by yacht and tennis club wear which will be predominantly white with accents in red and navy. Lauren's iconic collar design will be incorporated. The women will be wearing an ensemble resembling a shirtdress, and the men a sports shirt and white trousers.
Fashion icon Giorgio Armani offers a take on his sportswear line EA7 for both the sports and formal wear for the Italian Olympic team. Armani's design is elegant, minimalist and will have a palette of white and azzurri blue, the country's traditional competitive colors. Armani has also included the words to the Italian national anthem "Il Canto degli Italiani" on the inside of each jacket, polo shirt and sweatshirt.
The memory of Bob Marley provides the inspiration for Jamaica's Olympic kit, created by Puma and designer Cedella Marley, daughter of the reggae legend who died in 1981. Bob Marley's songs are referenced in the collar stitching of the garments, which are in the traditional green, gold and black of Jamaica's flag.
South Korea takes a sailor-preppy theme in its Olympic collection by Fila and leading home brand Bean Pole. Formal wear includes white pants, striped tops and preppy jackets, plus to complete the nautical look, white hats and bags.
Azerbaijan has looked to Italian luxury brand Ermanno Scervino for its Olympic wear, and the formal line includes strong-shouldered, notched-lapel navy blue blazers and white chinos for men and blazers with red belts and white pencil skirts for women.
The Chinese team will be wearing outfits featuring the red and gold of the national flag, together with white.
Athletes will wear red jackets, emblazoned with a crest featuring the Chinese flag with its five stars, matched with a white shirt and skirt or trousers. The men will wear a white and yellow tie, while female athletes will be have silk neckties. For the 2008 Olympics, the same colors were used but the athletes wore red jackets, yellow shirts and white skirts or trousers.
The award for the most versatile outfit must go to German designer Bogner. The German team will be wearing a reversible jacket, where a brightly colored nylon jacket can be converted into navy blue blazers for formal occasions. The men will be dressed in baby blue, and the women in bright pink.
With the eyes of the world on their creations, designers will now be eager to see whether Olympics fashionistas deem them worthy of a podium place.
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