Olympic fever has started to infiltrate fashion. So which high-glamour designer is bringing the best look to their national team’s outfits? Rescu. investigates.
It’s no holds barred in the Olympic field, with designers across the globe producing their Olympic team outfits. So who’s got the best?
The two countries with the greatest pedigree have to be the UK and Italy, who’ve enlisted their most prestigious designers to give it a go.
The UK brought in Stella McCartney, daughter of a national treasure and pedigreed to the nines on the fashion front. She’s done collections with Adidas before, so she has the sportswear know-how.
However, her designs haven’t met with applause and a ticker-tape parade; the British press has been a bit put out, noting that there’s ‘not enough red’ and worrying that the designs ‘look too Scottish’ because of it.
The Guardian, a UK newspaper, also pointed out that the British flag is somewhat awkwardly placed at the crotch point for several women’s outfits, which they deemed a bit off.
McCartney pointed out angrily that the designs have more red in them than any previous outfit for decades. She’s been researching the outfits for two years, and the collection spans 26 different sports.
The Italian outfits haven’t been released yet, but Armani is always a master of hype, and launched his latest ad campaign – featuring eight Olympic athletes from various countries in Armani gear – barely a minute before Stella unveiled her collection.
He’s also diversified his collection beyond mere sportswear, releasing the Team Italia Armani watch, a sophisticated beauty in steel and the Italian colours, in honour of his country’s team.
Armani’s timing caused a bit of a stir. It seems that even now, the designers have the Olympic spirit of competition – and perhaps aren’t above a little dirty work.
Image: Stella McCartney for Britain’s Olympic team.
Are you one of the many women who wear glasses? It’s never been a finer season to be less than 20-20.
Vintage-style frames have been on their way back for a while now, leaving the rimless futuristic look of the 2000s behind. Now a woman can carry off heavy frames without risking looking dated.
Cat’s-eye frames are very Dita von Teese, but have to be correctly fitted and the right size so they don’t veer into Edna Everage territory.
The other major trend in spectacular spectacles is oversized. Think Audrey Hepburn or Jackie O’s sunglasses, transformed into a slightly more streamlined day look.
It’s very nerd-chic, and has been adopted wholeheartedly by a very young crowd, so make sure you don’t look like mutton dressed as lamb.
Look for an Oxford-Cambridge round frame to give you a wide-eyed, innocent look, and everybody will be clamouring to carry your books.
It’s not unheard of for women in the know to take frames from sunglasses – The Row or House Of Harlow, with their vintage-inspired lines, are particular favourites for this – and ask their optometrists to fit them with prescription lenses.
This opens up your range enormously, though be careful not to pick sunglasses with odd-shaped lenses which will be difficult to refit. Pair it all off with an up-do and some vintage rhinestones, and you’re all set for a Mad-Men inspired look.
Image: Marilyn Monroe in vintage cat’s eye frames.
Miss Universe, whichever country she hails from, will be clad in Australian swimwear this season.
Kooey, the Darwin-based swimwear brand which has stormed the overseas markets, is providing all the bikinis for the swimwear segment of the Miss Universe competition.
They made headlines last year when they designed a slightly eccentric ‘national look’ for our Miss Universe candidate, who, alas, lost. However, they’ve been involved in the Miss Universe world for years – Donald Trump has let them dress Miss Teen USA candidates, for one.
Their latest collections are inspired by Australian Indigenous art, which would be very exciting to see on the runways.
Aussie swimwear has always been one of our fashion world’s major exports, with local designers like Tigerlily and Anna + Boy hitting it big in editorials overseas – they’re particular favourites with Vogue staffers.
Miss Universe is perhaps a little less high-fashion, but it’s still big exposure. Millions watch the televised competition, and Miss Universe herself will need clothing for the entire year of her much-photographed reign.
We’re all watching Kooey closely for their next move. Maybe the Australian Miss Universe contender will look just that bit more ravishing if she’s in a home-grown swimsuit.
Image: Kooey swimwear.
