Olympic Games 2012: Let the (Design) Competition Begin.

 

As all eyes are on London during the 2012 Olympic games, the athletes aren’t the only ones who have to worry about their competition: celebrated designers representing their respective home nations through uniform designs will have their fair share of public scrutiny.  With acclaimed fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren for the United States, Stella McCartney and Adidas for Great Britain, and Giorgio Armani for Italy, this year’s summer games will prove to be a large cat-walk of international designers. Here’s a look at some of the unique designs:

 

United States:

 

Designed by Ralph Lauren, the United States’ opening ceremony uniform features classic American style showcasing the flag’s red, white, and blue theme.  The men’s uniform includes a double-breasted navy jacket, white collared shirt, cream slacks, blue beret, and a red and blue necktie. The women switch the pants to don a feminine cream skirt.  Lauren included his signature label, the polo pony, on the blazer, making the American design origins instantly recognizable.

 

 

Great Britain:

 

The host nation’s uniforms were designed by Stella McCartney, who collaborated with Adidas for the athletic gear. Great Britain’s athletic ‘kits’ celebrate the country’s union jack flag with a red, white, and blue theme. In an interview with the Financial Times, McCartney states that she did not want to be too traditional, choosing to “break up the flag and isolate its graphics, and its colour-ways.” McCartney has been criticized by some for accenting the blue theme, while keeping the red at a minimum.

 

Italy:

 

Giorgio Armani stuck to his usual subtle shades for the Italian uniforms.  The athletes will be clad in midnight-blue and white, with accents of red and green as a nod to the country’s flag. According to the Financial Times, the lyrics of the Italian national anthem are stitched in gold on the inside left pocket of the jackets, meant to be close to the athlete’s hearts.

Written by: Madison Mayster