Paris is the city of love, of lights, of great pastries and couture. This year, it’s also the home of the Olympics. But it’s Paris, so of course even the pinnacle of the world sporting arena is an opportunity for a major fashion moment.
LVMH have unveiled the outfits that volunteer medal bearers will wear to present winning athletes at each Victory Ceremony during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. Medal bearers traditionally wear uniforms that reflect the host country’s heritage – Sydney’s 2000 medal bearers wore iconic Driza-bone jackets with an Akubra hat, while Tokyo’s Yamaguchi Sodai design of 2020 referenced traditional kimono folding techniques.
It’s been 100 years since Paris last hosted The Olympics, so this year’s designs give a modern nod to 1920s silhouettes, with unisex styles paying homage to the emergence of feminism and the birth of sportswear (tres chic!) The LVMH garments include a crisp polo shirt paired with a wide-legged pant that emphasises fluidity and freedom of movement. The look is punctuated with a traditional gavroche cap – and a set of Fenty Beauty products for those who wish to partake.
The 515 medal bearers will present their medals on a Louis Vuitton designed Medals Tray, crafted by expert Louis Vuitton artisans at the Beaulieu-sur-Layon workshop in the Maine-et-Loire region. Drawing on the brand’s trunkmaking heritage, the trays are wrapped in Louis Vuitton’s historic 1888 Damier canvas, and lined with matte black leather, with room for two to six medals on each tray. They join a prestigious collection of bespoke luggage pieces created by the Maison for Paris 2024, cementing its role as ‘The Artisan of All Victories’ for the Paris 2024 Games.
“We are tremendously proud to once again help make these Olympic and Paralympic Games even more creative and sustainable,” says Antoine Arnault, LVMH Image & Environment Director. “These clothes mirror our commitment to creative circularity and to a society that is more respectful towards the environment.”
Proving that luxury can – and should – be both sustainable and inclusive, the LVMH designs are made from 100% eco-designed materials, sourced from LVMH offcuts. The pants, a poly-wool blend made from recycled polyester, are produced by La Fabrique NOMADE, a non-profit which supports the professional integration of refugee artisans in France.
And if you’re wondering, yes, all the outfits are given to the medal bearers to keep. It’s a gesture of thanks for their contribution to such a historic moment for the world’s best athletes. And fitting – after all, this is the fashion capital of the world.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
