NEW YORK (AP) — When Team USA marches with athletes from around the world at the Paris Olympics’opening ceremony, they will be dressed in stylish navy blazers from Ralph Lauren — paired with blue jeans.
Just simple, everyday denim blue jeans.
Ralph Lauren, which introduced its ninth collection on Tuesday for the Olympic parade ensembles for the American team, describes the combination as “unexpected” yet timeless.
David Lauren, the company’s chief branding and innovation officer and the son of its founder, was unfazed by the casual choice of blue denim.
“We collaborate closely with Team USA to ensure that the athletes feel both dressed up, united as a team, and comfortable and distinctly American at the same time,” he shared with The Associated Press on Monday during a media preview at the brand’s elegant headquarters in New York.
“There’s nothing more American than blue jeans, especially when we’re in Paris,” Lauren emphasized. “It allows the athletes to experience a sense of culture while remaining true to themselves and what feels natural.”
The single-breasted wool blazers are accented with red-and-white tipping and are paired with a blue-and-white striped Oxford shirt and cream suede buck lace-up shoes. The jeans are tapered. Additionally, there are blue neckties.
For the closing ceremony, the team will don sharp white moto-style denim jeans with corresponding jackets featuring patriotic red, white, and blue colors.
The company brought together a few athletes bound for Paris to showcase the parade uniforms for the upcoming Summer Games set to begin next month in one of the world’s fashion capitals.
Daniela Moroz, 23, will be competing in sailing at her debut Olympics. She admired the racing elements of the closing look she modeled, right down to the shoes. The zip jackets feature “USA” emblazoned across the front in large letters, with “Team USA” in blue positioned prominently on the outside seam of one pant leg. The team caps have a duck bill style, with white visors and red and blue accents.
“As a racer on the water, that really speaks to me,” remarked Moroz, who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. “It’s incredibly comfortable.”
Lauren described the closing ceremony outfits as “more graphic, more fun, a bit more exciting.”
The company has also created Team USA merchandise available for purchase starting on Tuesday at RalphLauren.com, TeamUSAShop.com, and its stores in the U.S. and France. Among the items for sale are polo shirts made from 100% recycled cotton. This marks the first time Ralph Lauren has achieved this level of sustainability in Olympic apparel, according to David Lauren.
The customizable polo shirt has a performance-like feel with enhanced wicking, breathability, and stretch, Lauren noted. “It serves as a test for us to explore future innovations. The Olympics have always been a platform for testing new ideas and pushing the boundaries with our athletes for what’s to come.”
A portion of the proceeds from retail sales goes towards supporting U.S. athletes as they prepare for their Olympic endeavors. Lauren did not disclose specific details on the amount of funding the company provides to them.
The uniforms for the opening and closing ceremonies, which are the same for the Olympics and subsequent Paralympics, were manufactured in the U.S. The merchandise available for purchase to the public was made in both the U.S. and other countries.
Jamal Hill, a Paralympic swimmer who won a bronze medal in Tokyo, is returning to compete in Paris at 29. He believes that the uniforms will appeal to millennials and Gen Z.
“They have a really nice, unique modern twist,” stated Hill, who was raised in Los Angeles.
Fencer Daryl Homer, 33, will be in Paris as an alternate after tearing his Achilles tendon a month before qualifying. This will be his fourth Olympic appearance, having secured a silver medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Regarding the blue denim choice, Homer commented: “It’s very contemporary, approachable. We will be walking in Paris in the heat. This look is lighter and provides more freedom to move around.”
Kamren Larsen, a 24-year-old BMX racer from Bakersfield, California, will be participating in his first Olympics. He believes that the sharp blazers paired with Oxford shirts complement the more relaxed nature of the jeans.
“I think Ralph did a great job in offering diversity,” he remarked.
For more coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, visit https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games.
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