The Olympic Games; better known as the world’s biggest runway for sportswear.
I can’t even lie, I’ve been looking forward to Rio 2016 since Ryan Lochte’s failed E! reality spin-off wrapped in 2012. Not sure what that says about my television choices – or my life priorities…
With Brazil being all about the carnival, I knew Rio had a visually stunning show in store for us and was super excited to see each country’s fashion choices during Friday’s Opening Ceremony. What I love most about Olympics fashion is how it’s used to create a dialogue around each country. Athletes are able to put themselves on the global map for fashion.
There has been a big fusion of sportswear and high fashion over the past few seasons.
Stella McCartney collaborated with Adidas to design the United Kingdom’s uniforms and DSquared and Hudson’s Bay hooked up to design Team Canada’s outfits. I personally felt like I had a case of the Bob Costas “pink eye” when looking at Croatia’s uniforms. Were they sponsored by In-N-Out? H&M produced Sweden’s sport leggings, which are pretty legit. They’re carrying these bad boys in all H&M stores, so get ’em while they’re hot!
Let’s talk the elephant in the room.
Zika was the inspiration behind South Korea’s uniforms. The fabric was designed to protect against the mosquito carrying virus. In need of extra protection? Australia’s got you covered on that front as well. Their country supplied all athletes from the land down under with Zika-proof condoms. If Tinder is as big as it was during the London 2012 games, I have a feeling these will not go to waste.
While I know there will be many gold medals awarded over the next two weeks, I think Gisele Bundchen deserves special recognition. She will forever and always be hair goals AND homegirl danced more naturally than Taylor Swift EVER could front row.
U S A !!!!!!!!!
