FROM ATHLETES TO STYLE ICONS: THE BEST OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY UNIFORMS FOR PARIS 2024

The Olympic Games are famous not only for being one of the biggest discipline and greatness displays humanity can offer, but also for being a window to peek into different cultures of the world through their best athletes. Traditionally, the Olympics’ opening ceremony are spectacular events that showcase the arts, culture and technology of host countries in each edition. They also work as a way for each country to show the best of their aesthetics through the uniforms worn by their representatives.

For the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics, which will be held from late July to early August 2024 in Paris, France, several national teams have prepared their uniforms in collaboration with their most outstanding local designers. Out of them, the ones that have garnered more interest are those of Haiti, Spain, United States and Mongolia.

Haitian Olympic team uniforms for the opening ceremony of Paris 2024. Picture: Stella Jean.

ART AS A SYMBOL OF HAITI’S RESILIENCE

The uniform for the opening ceremony of the Olympics of the Haitian team was designed by Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean. Using blue cotton of the island along with local artisans, Jean presented a micro collection with mid-length skirts, tight cut pants and blazers inspired by the traditional Guayabera shirts usually worn in Caribbean countries. The most meaningful detail was the use of blue, red and white tones in their national flag, as well as prints directly taken from “Passage”, a work by Haitian artist Philippe Dodard. With a team of only 15 members, and under a turbulent situation since the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse in 2021, the Haitian Olympians put the resilience and strength of their nation to the forefront through sports and fashion.

Spanish Olympic team uniforms for Paris 2024. Picture: Joma.

SPAIN’S PASSIONATE RED

The Spanish Olympic team will wear outfits designed by sportswear brand Joma, which has made all the clothes for them for the entirety of the games. Using the iconic red and yellow tones that Spain is famous for, and some white and cream elements, the opening ceremony suit consists of red blazers, crisp white shirts, cream pants for men and mid-length skirts in a gradation of white, yellow and red for women. This is one of the teams with the most functional outfits, even commercially viable outside of the Olympic Games.

USA Olympic team uniforms for the opening ceremony of Paris 2024. Picture: Ralph Lauren.

RALPH LAUREN’S AMERICANA

As one of the greatest icons of American fashion, Ralph Lauren is the ideal artist for the creation of looks that reflect the casual spirit of the country. The uniform to be worn by the athletes of the United States team is made of typical elements of American fashion that are now global, such as classic blue jeans for both men and women and blue neckties. Classic preppy looks will be a part of these outfits with vertical blue striped shirts and navy blue blazers with the American flag’s red, white and blue edges, the famous Polo Ralph Lauren’s logo embroidered in white on the right lapel and the American Olympic Committee logo on the left lapel. Another important detail is that, until now, this has been one of the few opening ceremony uniforms that is completely genderless, highlighting the diversity and inclusivity values that are central to American culture.

Mongolian Olympic team uniforms for the opening ceremony of Paris 2024. Picture: Michel&Amazonka.

MONGOLIA’S CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DETAILS

The opening ceremony outfit thay has sparked the most favorable reactions in fashion industry is, hands down, the Mongolian team’s. The uniform, designed by Ulan Bator-based design duo Michel&Amazonka, features white shirts, white wide pants and Mao neck vests with golden embroidery, in turquoise green for men and white for white. The details of this collection are absolutely exquisite, combining typical Mongolian symbols such as animals and landscapes of the region with the Olympic flame and rings. Completed with traditional handbags and earrings for women and black boots and hats for men, the garments of the Mongolian team (which took around 20 hours each to make) are a beautiful sample of the most refined craftsmanship of this Asian country, and are now among the favorites of fashionistas worldwide.