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2012 Olympic Team Uniforms and The Designers Who Made it All Possible!
By Mashika Patterson
Cedella Marley the Designer of the Jamaican Olympic Uniforms and Jamaican Olympic Runner Usain Bolt
The 2012 Olympics is filled with talented athletes who have been working tirelessly to get to this point in their careers. However, there is a another stage within the Olympics not to be overlooked- the fashion stage! We have seen what the hosting country’s monarchs have been wearing but the real interest is who exactly are the athletes wearing! Who exactly created such designs for different countries. Some countries have even tapped into their high profile resident designers such as Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and Cedella Marley for Jamaica, to create momentous uniforms for the Opening Ceremony and their events. Let’s take a look at some of the gear….
Jamaica, Designer: Cedella Marley
Taking a look at the Jamaican Olympic team uniform these Olympians stepped out in style as their new uniforms were designed by Cadella Marley who is the daughter of the late musician Bob Marley and according to huffingtonpost.com the designer behind the label Catch A Fire, was tapped by Puma to create the collection of wears that Team Jamaica has donned on the biggest athletic stage. Looking at this collection it is very fashionable and represents the Islands history and culture in a form of fashion.
Jamaica’s Team Uniform
Trinidad & Tobago, Designers: Richard Hope and Nivanya Abraham
Trinidad and Tobago’s Uniform’s were designed by Richard Hope and Nivanya Abraham who are also two young up and coming fashion designers. Hope and Abraham collaborated to design the opening ceremony outfit that the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic team will be wearing. The look of the T&T uniforms are very basic this because when the team wins the gold medal they usually wrap themselves up in the national T&T flag. This explains a lot as they want to keep it simple while letting the symbolic T&T flag speak for itself.
Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Uniforms
Great Britain, Designer: Stella McCartney
Great Britain’s Olympic uniforms were designed by Stella McCartney as her design stirred up much controversy as she featured a Blue Union Flag on the Official GB Kit for the 2012 Olympics this according to dailymail.co.uk. She also defended her choice to use the color she selected she stated “she took inspiration from British Flag – but modernised it” (dailymail.co.uk) she continued by saying “For me it’s one of the most beautiful flags in the world and it was important for me to stay true to that iconic design but also to modernise it and present it in a contemporary way.” (dailymail.co.uk)
Great Britain’s Olympic Team Uniform
USA, Designer: Ralph Lauren
The United States Uniforms designed by famed American designer Ralph Lauren featured “smart berets, neckties, and double-breasted blazers in sailor – inspired blue – and white ensemble with red accents” (newsfeed.time.com), but aside from the great display of patriotism for the United Stated many law makers are upset that each piece of clothing was made in China. Senate Majority Harry Reid told ABC News “I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.” Reid and others feel the same way as they look at the situation as the uniforms not benefiting the American manufacturing sector. To make matters worse, the berets seemed more more French than American!
United States Olympic Team Uniforms
With these uniforms and more that were displayed at the opening ceremonies, each uniform tells a story as of each country and will tell an even bigger story by the Olympians who wear them with pride as they go for the gold. Take a look at a few more opening ceremony uniforms from a few Caribbean countries.
Bahamas
Bahamas Olympic Team Uniform
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic Olympic Team Uniform
Guyana
Guyana Olympic Team Uniform
Haiti
Haiti Olympic Team Uniform
-- Photos Courtesy of olympicsmealtally.com, inhabition.com, drivennetwork.com and fashionbystander.wordpress.com --
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