'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Love it or hate it, this is your host country’s uniform.
For some, Paris Fashion Week is the most coveted event in fashion. For me, it’s the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Few are wearing labels like Armani and Ralph Lauren. And absent are the other fashion powerhouses such as Prada, Dior, and Valentino. But what’s present is patriotic pride bursting forth in all types of colors, patterns, and lines. It’s that time again. Time for the opening ceremony fashion preview!
I’m a bit disappointed by this year’s designs. The Germans once again do not disappoint when it comes to their selected color palette. I find Ralph Lauren’s look for the United States boring, reminiscent of previous designs (At least this year’s clothing was made in the US and not China.). One can argue that it’s difficult to be very creative and still keep the athletes warm on a cold winter’s night. Yet a couple of countries have managed to succeed.
France’s ook from Lacoste manages to offer warm and fashion flair. But would we expect anything less from this country?
Equally impressive is Sweden’s choice of team attire. But don’t go shopping at Ikea for these garments. H&M is the source behind this sleek ensemble.
I have a lot of opinions about Olympic fashion. But I’m hardly an expert. This year I was in luck when I began writing about Sochi’s opening ceremony fashion. I was able to turn to fellow blogger Grace Hauser, author of the blog She Sprints In Stilettos (where a critique of this year’s opening ceremony couture can be found). While I was ready to mock Russia’s look, Ms. Hauser offered another interesting take. “The long puffer coats may be slightly extravagant….but they are chic, and a nice change of pace from the standard tracksuits emblazoned with countries’ names,” she writes.
Well, I suppose it’s a look that will stand out from the rest! When I asked whether she’d like to see more big name designers take on Olympic fashion, I received a surprising answer. “No, I don’t think so. I actually think Armani and Ralph Lauren played it too safe.” So what makes the perfect opening ceremony look? “Weather appropriate and functional, obviously, but nothing too literal and overly patriotic. The design should represent the country’s culture.”
