Korea unveils national uniforms for Olympic, Paralympic Games in Paris

[Courtesy of MUSINSA]

With the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics just around the corner, South Korea has unveiled the complete range of uniforms for its national athletes, including those for the Paralympics.

The ceremonial uniforms were designed by Musinsa, the athletic uniforms by The North Face, and the Paralympic uniforms by SPAO.

Not just Korea, but all participating countries have showcased their unique national uniforms, capturing the world’s attention.

This year, the lineup includes contributions from prominent sports brands like Nike, Asics, and Lululemon, as well as luxury brands such as Berluti and Armani.

On Sunday, SPAO, a brand under E-Land World, revealed the uniforms for the Korean Paralympic team. These uniforms are custom-made, taking into account the specific needs of each athlete, including those using wheelchairs or prosthetics.

The design draws inspiration from the royal robe of King Taejo and traditional Korean patterns, featuring a jacket and a fedora adorned with the Taeguk symbol.

Earlier, the ceremonial uniforms for Korea’s national Olympic athletes, designed by the casual wear brand Musinsa Standard, had already garnered attention.

Musinsa explained that its Belted Suit Setup, utilizing a deep blue color, was designed to make the Korean team shine brightly.

The North Face, a long-time sponsor of Team Korea, is responsible for the athletes’ uniforms and award ceremony outfits. The brand has provided 23 items ranging from functional daily wear to sports equipment, incorporating Korean elements like the water symbol “Gam” trigram and the yin-yang of the Taeguk into the designs.

Other national teams’ uniforms are also drawing heated interest.

For the United States, Ralph Lauren, a brand with a 54-year history in New York, designed Team USA uniforms for the Olympics.

The outfits, featuring navy blazers with red accents, jeans, and striped shirts, reflect the American flag’s imagery. Ralph Lauren has been the official outfitter for Team USA since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

China’s uniforms are provided by Anta Sports Products, the country’s leading sports brand, which surpassed Nike’s sales in the Chinese market in 2022.

Anta is gaining popularity, especially among the young people amid a wave of patriotic consumption. Ding Shizhong, Chairman of Anta Group, participated as a torchbearer in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Japan’s national team uniforms are crafted by the domestic sports brand Asics, featuring an orange windbreaker with a distinctive red hue. The ceremonial uniforms were selected through a public tender, with no specific manufacturer disclosed.

Additionally, designer Yohji Yamamoto’s brand Y-3 collaborated with the Japanese national soccer team on a special collection.

As national brands compete in the uniform arena, the prestige of Olympic wear continues to rise. These brands strive to combine design and functionality while embodying the spirit of each country.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) strictly limits brand exposure, allowing only official uniform sponsors to display their logos. For fashion brands, being associated with national teams offers immense global marketing benefits.