Designer uniforms for Olympic Games' players

Ralph Lauren has designed unform for Team USA, Stella McCartney for Britain, and Armani and Prada for Italy. But most designs don't come without controversy or criticism National uniforms for the Olympics rarely fail to elicit extreme emotions among fashion critics. While the Indian uniform designs appear far from inspiring, there's more drama in countries where the uniforms have been designed by international designers. Designed in the US, made in China When Ralph Lauren introduced the uniforms to be sported by Team USA in the London Games' opening and closing ceremonies, his designs got a mixed reaction. While some in the US criticized them for harking back to Gatsby's America, others said they were suave as can be. But whether fashion critics loved or loathed Ralph Lauren's designs for Team USA heading for the London Olympics is now secondary. For, Lauren's designed-in-the-US, made-in-China uniforms have come under heavy fire for outsourcing jobs to China, when unemployment in the US is reported to be above 8%. Such is the anger in the US against the made-in-China tag for the national team's uniform that the majority leader in the Senate, Harry Reid has even demanded that the uniforms be burnt. That's not happening, though, for it's too late in the day to have the uniforms re-manufactured in the US now, with the London Games less than 10 days away. But six Democrats say they intend to introduce a legislation in the Senate next week that would make it mandatory by law to manufacture ceremonial uniforms for national teams within the country. But till the Team USA Made In America Act, 2012 - as it will be called - is passed, the US has Ralph Lauren's word that the uniforms for the Winter Olympics in 2014 will be entirely home-manufactured. According to statement by the designer brand, "We are honored to continue our longstanding relationship with the United States Olympic Committee in the 2014 Olympic Games by serving as an Official Outfitter of the US Olympic and Paralympic teams. Ralph Lauren promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government addressing the issue of increasing manufacturing in the United States and has committed to producing the Opening and Closing ceremony Team USA uniforms in the United States that will be worn for the 2014 Olympic Games." Give me red! Stella McCartney's uniforms for the Great Britain team received adverse comments not for lacking in the design department, but for not sporting enough of the national colours. The design was thrashed for being "too blue", and not having enough red. British loyalists weren't too lenient while making their point on Facebook. "Badly designed. Not enough red. They don't emphasis (sic) the athletes physique. Design by McCommittee?" wrote one on a picture of the designs posted on the social networking site. Another one wrote on Stella McCartney's FB page, "an absolute disgrace .... you should be ashamed and embarrassed at that abomination ... the GB flag is RED white and blue, NOT blue, grey and blue ... typical self centered artist trying to 'be different' rather than designing for the purpose. Stella McARTney (sic) hang your head." The designer finally took to her microblogging account to justify the choice of colours. She wrote: "I see many feel as strongly about the Union flag as I do! The design actually uses more red & shows more flag than any Team GB kit since '84." Armani, Prada for Italy Giorgio Armani has designed the uniforms for Team Italy for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. Like McCartney, he steered clear of Italy's flag colours while designing the dress. But how did he manage to dodge the critics for his white and midnight blue creation? He made up for the lack of the national colours by emblazoning words from the country's national anthem on the insides of the jackets. "This is going to be the most fashionable Olympic Games ever," said Armani at the launch of his Olympics designs. And sure enough, not much later, Prada stepped in not just to dress up Italy's sailing team, but also to sponsor it. Thumbs up Bob Marley's daughter, Cedella Marley has designed the much approved uniforms for Jamaican Olympics team. For this once, no controversy or criticism. Just a big thumbs up from everyone.

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