The Olympic uniform for the USA is under fire – for not being American enough…
Ralph Lauren’s Olympic uniforms for the American team have come under fire – not only from fashion critics, but from the US Senate.
The reason? The uniforms are made in China.
Lauren’s look is distinctly Americana-inspired – when Lauren Bush married the heir to the Lauren business, their Western-inspired wedding with cowboy boots and on-the-range decorations surprised nobody – but he’s now being called ‘un-American’.
Outsourcing of fashion manufacturing is a touchy subject in the USA. Many brands, such as American Apparel, focus much of their advertising on the fact that they’re ‘made in America’ rather than by workers in China or Thailand.
However, the Olympic uniforms were, just like most of Lauren’s commercial ranges, made by his factory in China, and the fury among American designers and politicians has been intense. A senator even demanded that they be burnt and start all over again.
The US fashion industry is sensitive to outsourcing – labour costs in America are higher, and it’s often not seen as viable to make outfits in the country – but people are deploring Lauren’s cost-cutting on such a patriotic uniform.
The Olympians themselves haven’t spoken out – they’re too busy focussing on training – but fashion critics have also massacred the uniforms for being boring, flight-attendant-esque and intensely daggy. The beret headgear has proved the most hated, with some calling it ‘too French’.
Considering that Italy’s outfits are being made by Armani, the Americans face some tough competition in the fashion stakes.
What do you think – unpatriotic or acceptable?
Image: The American Olympic 2012 uniforms.
When Valentino’s original designer, Valentino Garavani, bowed out of designing with a spectacular show in 2008, the world wondered what would happen to his line.
It’s kept going strong – particularly with its signature red dresses – but Valentino now faces a new age. It’s been bought by, of all people, the Qatari Royal Family.
Apparently the purchase was motivated by the wife of the Emir, who loves Valentino dresses. The Qatar royals are famous luxury investors, owning shares in Porsche and the entirety of Harrod’s.
Qatar is a tiny, oil-rich state in the Arab Emirates, and the Qatari royals bought Valentino for 700 million euros. It’s good news for Valentino, which has struggled ever since its famous designer’s retirement, and had to do some quiet restructuring to avoid bankruptcy a few years ago.
Luxury conglomerates are the new big force in fashion. A handful of big names own most of the world’s fashion labels – LVMH being the main player, co-owned by Salma Hayek’s husband (and the father of Linda Evangelista’s baby).
A luxury backer is often a good thing for brands, launching them into the mainstream and giving them backing, but it can also mean a loss of control and independence. The Qataris also bought the M by Missoni brand, a casual version of Missoni.
Nobody knows quite what direction the Qatari ownership will take – hopefully it will just mean a revival of the brand, so that we can all enjoy its signature red chiffon for years to come.
It’s hard times for luxury designers – but there are still investors willing to sign the cheques.
Image: Valentino’s final show.
