As one of the world’s largest sporting events, the Paris Olympics 2024 kicks off with an opening ceremony on July 26, featuring a celebratory parade with athletes from around the globe.
More than 10,000 athletes are heading to France's capital to compete, and each country has designed special outfits for the occasion.
Here are some of the outstanding designs.
Mongolia
Mongolia’s intricate opening ceremony outfits have gone viral on social media, receiving praise for their design. Created by Mongolian sister designers Michel and Amazonka Choigaalaa, each outfit takes about 20 hours to make and draws inspiration from traditional Mongolian clothing.
The designs include ceremonial earrings and detailed vests embroidered with symbols like the Eiffel Tower, Olympic flame, the Soyombo (from the Mongolian flag), and the mythological Gua-Maral deer.
Haiti
Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean crafted Haiti's vibrant outfits. The skirts and trousers feature art from a painting called "Passage" by Haitian painter Philippe Dodard.
The blue shirts are inspired by the Guayabera, a traditional shirt made using a special Haitian weaving technique, paying homage to Jean's grandfather. The white sleeveless blazers, made from recycled fabric, feature the Olympic emblem.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic’s striking outfits were a collaboration between ALPINE PRO and designer Jan Černý. The bold jackets, inspired by the traditional Czech “baloňák” coat, honour the host country, France, where the coat is popular.
The inky pattern on the coats is a nod to Czech artist Vladimír Boudník. The outfits also include a glass linden leaf, symbolising protection and strength for the athletes.
Great Britain
Team GB's outfits, designed by Ben Sherman for the third consecutive games, incorporate the colours and symbols of the British flag—red, white, and blue. The outfits also feature embroidery of the UK's national flowers: the rose (England), thistle (Scotland), daffodil (Wales), and shamrock (Northern Ireland).
USA
American designer Ralph Lauren created Team USA's opening ceremony outfits. The blazers and shirts are in the colours of the American flag—red, white, and blue. The team will also wear jeans, nodding to Levi Strauss, who popularised denim jeans in the 1800s.
France
The French Olympic team’s outfits, designed by former Vogue France editor Carine Roitfeld in collaboration with LVMH and custom-made by Berluti, reflect France's rich fashion history.
The blazers feature collars with the French flag colours in a burnished style. Inside each item, the phrase “Artisan of all victories” is stitched, highlighting craftsmanship.
Ireland
To celebrate Ireland’s 100th anniversary in the Olympic Games, the outfits blend traditional and modern styles. Made from ECO-Hybrid taffeta and created using recycled T-shirts and plastic bottles, each jacket sleeve has a unique embroidered patch depicting the athlete. The jackets also feature a shamrock brooch made from four-leaf clovers, symbolising good luck.
Australia
Designed by Sportscraft, the Australian outfits will be worn by over 460 athletes. Featuring the national colours gold and green, symbolising Australia’s beaches, crops, and forests, the designs include Indigenous artwork by Olympic boxer Paul Fleming and artist David Bosun.
Each blazer has the names of 301 Australian Olympic champions in the lining and the Australian Olympians' oath embroidered on the inside pocket.
IOL Lifestyle