The Rio Olympics are already a highly anticipated event, and they are set to be a fashionable one as well. Well-known fashion designers will be dressing the event’s main stars, the world’s best athletes.
Many of the designers chosen to craft the teams’ looks for the opening and closing ceremonies were carefully chosen. The teams, for the most part, are choosing brands that are based in their countries to represent them. Therefore, the American Team will be wearing Polo Ralph Lauren, an American brand that has been chosen to create the team’s Olympics look five times now.
The brand Dsquared2 was chosen to create Canada’s maple-leaf bedecked red blazers, H&M made the outfits for Sweden, and Lacoste designed the uniforms for the French team. Cuba is also getting a French-made uniform, courtesy of Christian Louboutin and online retailer SportHenri.com. Great Britain’s team will be outfitted by a collaboration between Stella McCartney and Adidas, and Giorgio Armani has designed the look for Italy’s team. Ralph Lauren and Armani have yet to disclose the opening ceremony uniforms for their respective teams, choosing instead to surprise the crowd.
Designers are taking full advantage of having the world’s eyes on them, using the spotlight to showcase innovative designs—this year featuring technology. Ralph Lauren has decided to use “electroluminescent panels” on Team USA’s uniforms to showcase detailing. Other countries are going for innovation on a more practical level, using textiles laced with synthetic insecticide (EPA approved) to fight off Zika carrying mosquitoes, even after many washes.
The opening ceremonies are always a spectacular event, and with these designers, Rio surely won’t disappoint.
