 Luxury Sportswear: Ralph Lauren is an American fashion icon, so who better to design clothes that will represent the nation to the entire world at the Olympics?
When the multitude of American athletes appeared at the Opening Ceremony at the 2008 Olympics they looked like modern throwbacks of the heyday of the games during the 1920's and 30s. Athletes strolled in tropical wool navy blazers emblazoned with oversized Polo ponies, off-white wool trousers, white cotton broadcloth shirts, white twill newsboy caps and striped silk neckwear - ties for the men, scarves for the women.
David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising, marketing and communications for Ralph Lauren, as well as the designer's son explains that the problem wasn't coming up with designs for the myriad swimmers, track stars and assorted other athletes, it was coming up with enough clothes for the 1,000 athletes to wear for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as in the Olympic Village in between.
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The inspiration for the new styles came from the days of Jesse Owens, an era before track suits became essentially the uniform for Olympians around the world, Lauren said.
"We wanted to reference the glory days of the Olympics and then bring it to a very modern silhouette," he said. "It's a combination of looking back and looking to the future."
If you like what you see, around 200 non-personalized jackets will be available for $695 after the opening ceremony at RalphLauren.com and at Ralph Lauren stores.
For LxM Carly Zinderman
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