The Olympics are coming to the capital of fashion, expect uniforms befitting a Paris runway

Paris, Jul 24 (AP) Sure, they call it the City of Light. But Paris is also the City of Fashion, one of the most influential fashion capitals of the world for decades, no, centuries (remember Louis XIV?) So, it's no surprise that fashion designers across the globe are busy getting their national team uniforms ready for their unique spotlight.

When it comes to high-end Olympic fashion — be it for festive opening ceremonies, or competition — all runways lead to Paris.

Stella Jean will be there, styling each of Haiti's dozen or so athletes herself. Jean, an Italian-Haitian designer based in Rome, figures she has exactly two seconds, on opening ceremony night, to make an impression on the world — an impression that may reverberate for years.

“For these athletes, it's a victory just to be here,” says Jean, whose vivid, colourful design is intended to highlight the cultural vitality of the Caribbean nation.

On the other end of the size (and budget) spectrum is Ralph Lauren, who will outfit hundreds of athletes of the US team at opening and closing ceremonies, for the ninth time.

Lauren, who's presenting a casual look of blue jeans and blazers, is of course one of the world's richest designers, along with Giorgio Armani, who has been designing Italy's uniforms since 2012.

Countless other designers have gotten involved — including, this year, more young, “indie” labels eager to make a splash. It's also a chance to emphasize qualities such as sustainability in fashion and adaptability, too, as in designs for the Paralympics.

Some emerging details on various uniform designs: Canada: A focus on inclusivity, adaptability During the design process, the team from Lululemon, outfitting Canada's athletes for the second time, says they listened carefully to the athletes, and how they felt in the clothes.

“When you feel your best, you perform your best,” says Audrey Reilly, creative director for Team Canada at the athletic apparel company.

She recalls listening to Alison Levine, a Paralympian who uses a wheelchair, and learning the athlete had nothing suitable to train in — so she wore medical scrubs.

“I was shocked that a professional athlete had to do that,” Reilly said in an interview. So we said, “Let's investigate.” One result was a “seated carpenter pant,” part of a collection intended to be inclusive and adaptable.

Other features include special closures to facilitate putting on and taking off garments, and pockets at the knees so an athlete like Levine can access her phone when training.

USA: “Nothing says America like blue jeans” For the last summer games in steamy Tokyo, Ralph Lauren outfitted athletes with something cool — literally — a technology that directed heat away through a fan device at the back of the neck.

For steamy Paris, he's introducing another type of cool: good old American jeans.

“Nothing says America like blue jeans, especially when we're in Paris,” said David Lauren, the label's chief branding and innovation officer and the founder's son, upon revealing the design in June.

India: Mixing old and new Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani is known for his ability to meld traditional elements with a modern sensibility. And, that's what he and his menswear brand Tasva has tried to do for his country's Olympic team.

Tahiliani told GQ India that when he began doing research for India's opening ceremony uniform, he noted a trend of countries incorporating their national flags into the design.

So, he began working on a design featuring the tricolour hues of saffron, white and green.

For men, Tahiliani began with a kurta, the typical Asian long and loose shirt. He paired that with a bundi or traditional sleeveless jacket. He told the magazine he wears a bundi every day, inspired by his father, who was an admiral in the Indian Navy.

Italy: A mix of elegance and tradition Italian athletes will be elegantly attired in Emporio Armani uniforms, as they have for every Olympics since 2012.

The podium tracksuit is emblazoned with “W Italia,” shorthand for “Eviva Italia,” or, “Long live Italy.” The motto could extend to designer Giorgio Armani himself, who turned 90 on July 11.

“Seeking new solutions for the athlete's kit, which must blend elegance with practicality, is always an exciting challenge for me,? Armani said last year when the national kit was presented at the Spring-Summer 2024 runway show for the youthful and sporty Emporio Armani brand.

Britain: Four nations, not one The 60-year-old British clothing brand Ben Sherman, known for its menswear, is creating Britain's Olympic uniforms for the third time, and this year wants to remind the world that Britain is four nations, not one.

Its design for the opening and closing ceremonies “represents the unity and diversity of the UK, reflecting the rich tapestry of our nation's identity.” says the label's creative director, Mark Williams.

South Korea: Inspiration from a national symbol South Korea's athletes will sport uniforms inspired by the country's national “taegeuk” circular symbol, which occupies the centre of its flag. The red-and-blue circle connotes harmony between the negative cosmic forces of the blue portion and the positive cosmic forces of the red.

The motifs on the North Face-branded uniforms also include one of the four black trigrams (groups of bars) from the flag's corners, according to Youngone Outdoor Co., an official partner of the country's Olympic committee which produces and distributes North Face clothing in South Korea. The trigram being used symbolizes water. (AP) AYG