Get ready to embrace the thrills and excitement of the Olympics! The biggest sporting event on earth, the Summer Olympic Games, is set to start in the iconic city of lights, Paris, France, just in the next few days. Renowned as a global fashion capital, Paris is gearing up to host the most fashionable Olympics ever. Let's have a look at the stylish and striking athlete uniforms that will grace the upcoming Paris 2024.
TEAM FRANCE IN BERLUTI AND STÉPHANE ASHPOOL X LE COQ SPORTIF
We can't dive into the fashion of Paris 2024 without mentioning the spectacular ensembles of the host nation! French luxury titan LVMH becomes a premium partner for the Olympic Games, taking on multiple roles, including outfitting French athletes for the Opening Ceremony. Acquired by LVMH, Berluti, under the creative direction of Carine Roitfeld, showcases its exquisite savoir-faire with a French flag-inspired ensemble for the athletes and staff attending the ceremony. During podium moments, training sessions, and competitions, the athletes of Team France will don a kit designed by Le Coq Sportif in collaboration with Stéphane Ashpool, the visionary behind the French streetwear label Pigalle. Reminiscent of '90s sportswear, the uniforms pay homage to the colors of the French flag just as the Berluti's ceremonial attires do.
TEAM USA IN RALPH LAUREN
Since 2008, Ralph Lauren has proudly served as the official outfitter for Team USA, and this year is no exception. As we gear up for the opening ceremony, Ralph Lauren presents its signature style, blending sophistication with classic American fashion. Athletes will wear the uniforms featuring a striped trim blazer and a striped shirt, perfectly paired with denim jeans. Ralph Lauren shifts to a more relaxed vibe to the closing ceremony. We will see our athletes in stylish patch-detailed moto jackets and biker jeans, a nod to the brand founder’s passion for autos and motoring.
TEAM CANADA IN LULULEMON
After outfitting Team Canada for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Lululemon is returning as the official outfitter for Team Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Lululemon is back in action as the official outfitter. Founded in Canada, Lululemon has grown into one of the world's most renowned sportswear brands, providing stylish kits for every key Olympics event—from ceremonies to media appearances to podium moments. Team Canada's outfits for the opening ceremony are convertible fits made of a red Jacquard fabric with a toile pattern featuring elements representing the country. The closing ceremony theme, "joy and illumination," will showcase ensembles in a deeper red. The print celebrates the light Team Canada brings to the Games and captures the natural illumination inspired by the Aurora Borealis.
TEAM HAITI IN STELLA JEAN
To showcase her native country's rich culture and artisanal craftsmanship, Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean is bringing all the spotlight to her stunning uniforms for Team Haiti. The uniforms feature a vibrant artwork named Passage by renowned Haitian painter Philippe Dodard. The male attires include pants adorned with the painter's work and a field jacket reminiscent of the traditional Haitian Guayabera shirt. A striped shirt and a printed scarf complete the look. The female uniforms are equally captivating, with full skirts still featuring the artwork of Dodard, paired with chambray shirts woven in Haiti, representing the country's traditional 'blue cotton' spinning — a Haitian heritage now at risk of dying. A sleeveless jacket made from recycled fabric adds an eco-friendly layer to complete the look.
TEAM MONGOLIA IN MICHEL & AMAZONKA
And the award for the most viral Olympics outfits goes to ... Team Mongolia! The internet is buzzing, and netizens are raving about the stunning look of the upcoming games. For the second consecutive Olympics, Mongolia-based Michel & Amazonka designs what many call the ultimate winning look for Paris 2024. The uniforms, revealed earlier this month, have taken the online world by storm—for good reason. These uniforms feature traditional Mongolian deels with a modern twist, embellished with intricate golden embroidery. Men wear matching hats, while women accessorize with pouches and accessories, creating a cohesive look that honors Mongolian heritage. The craftsmanship involved is astounding. According to the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, artisans spent over 20 hours making each uniform. The dedication and artistry behind these uniforms elevate them to another level, earning well-deserved praise.
Illustration by Da 90's Kid; photo courtesy of Berluti / Le Coq Spotif / Lululemon / Michel & Amazonka / Ralph Lauren / Stella Jean
Monday, March 11, 2024
Prada: a Fusion of Time, Romance and Bows
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons have consistently ruled Milan Fashion Week, setting new standards season after season. The two masters unveiled their latest creation, the Fall/Winter 2024 collection called 'Instinctive Romance,' at the usual venue, Milanese Fondazione Prada. Mirroring the Menswear collection's runway, the show space featured transparent floorboards revealing an evergreen landscape of grass, ferns, and a crystal-clear stream underneath, reflecting the inescapable bond between humans and the natural outdoors.
With a nod to nostalgia and a touch of romance, Prada and Simons meticulously wove together fragments of bygone eras and future visions, crafting what defined the present moment. Ideal for office attire, the structured tailoring reminiscent of the 50s evoked a sense of strength and sophistication. Yet, deconstruction techniques elevated the tailoring, intriguing people to question which side is the front or back. Prada never failed to juxtapose masculinity and femininity, showcasing a harmonious balance between these contrasting sides, ranging from a structured tailor suit featuring a lace-trimmed slip dress underneath to a motorcycle jacket paired with a deconstructed skirt.
Amid the conventional fall-winter color schemes, Prada included powdery pastels and bold, bright colors, adding liveliness and vibrancy to the seasonal aesthetic. Pastel dresses and colorful knitwear gave a refreshing contrast to the classic black and grey tailoring. In addition, various shades of purple graced the collection throughout, from hats to garments and shoes.
What truly captivated me about this collection was their resounding affirmation that bows and a coquette aesthetic remained at the forefront of the fashion world. As seen in numerous looks, Bows took center stage as prominent embellishments that infused the collection with an undeniable feminine and sweet allure. And let's not overlook the accessories – fuzzy military hats, pointed-toe shoes, and Prada's beloved bags like the Cleo and Galleria, now adorned with straps, were prominently featured. Models effortlessly carried them, dangling from their elbows, embracing a chic granny-chic vibe with a modern fashion twist.
Illustration by Da 90's Kid; photo courtesy of Prada / Isidore Montage; Armando Grillo for Gorunway.com / Alessandro Garofalo for Reuters
Sunday, August 27, 2023
Louis Vuitton Men by Pharrell Williams
After the passing of the late legend Virgil Abloh, the position of Louis Vuitton Men's creative director has been empty for two years; many have been predicting who will take over this role and harness this department. Finally, the parent company LVMH announced earlier this year that they named Pharrell Williams the next creative director of menswear. At first, I was a bit dissatisfied and wished they had hired familiar veteran designers or emerging fresh talents rather than a celebrity. Yet, Williams' debut collection changed my mind.
The most anticipated collection of the year debuted in the heart of Paris at the historical Pont Neuf covered in golden Damier. Aside from Williams' family, everyone from Jay-Z and Beyonce to Naomi Campbell and Kim Kardashian and the house's ambassadors — Zendaya, Jackson Wang, and Song Joong-ki, to name a few — flocked to Paris's oldest bridge to witness this epic occasion. Some came to see, while some came to walk. Stefano Pilati (Saint Laurent's former creative director) and Dao-Yi Chow (Brady's creative director) joined the model cast.
As one of the world's most prominent fashion icons, Pharrell Williams proved his keen sense of style as the new creative director of Louis Vuitton. His inaugural collection blended homage to the house's legacy with his distinctively personal style, and it crushed the emerging aesthetic of Quiet Luxury with more Louis Vuitton's eye-catching elements than you can imagine. The Damier, one of Louis Vuitton's most renowned patterns, was reintroduced as Damouflage (Damier meets Camo) and dominated the collection from garments to accessories; the regular Damier and monograms in different colors were also part of the collection. They served an array of ensembles, ranging from impeccably neat dandy attire and retro sportswear to effortlessly chic pajamas. Furthermore, we can also notice numerous references to Williams' favorite pieces, such as Chanel's knit jacket, round sunglasses, and hats in various shapes, all reimagined and shown in the collection.
Never forget about their exquisite leather goods; the collection included redesigned versions of Louis Vuitton's signature bag models - Alma, Noé, and Trunk - in varied sizes, hues, and materials. In a captivating campaign cameo alongside Rihanna, the show-stopper Speedy Bags were converted from LV's famed brown canvas to soft leather in brilliant shades - especially €1M Speedy made of yellow crocodile leather with a pave diamond lock, which would drive LV devotees crazier.
What is the benefit of having a musician as a director? The answer is that he also produced the soundtrack for his show. This debut presentation comprised two original compositions by Willaims. When the gospel choir 'Voices of Fire' began to perform the collaborative song 'Joy (Unspeakable)' and models trouped out at the finale - delivering the celebratory vibe - I could sense the absolute joy, as its name implies.