Special Report


the females and a 26in chest to a 56in chest for the male athletes. The ages of the athletes also ranges from 14 to 60, so designing a suit that was going to flatter everyone was a bit of a challenge. James Saunders, Simon Jerseys managing director, explains: “Its not a 100% tailored suit, but its as close as it can be. We carried out sizing sessions with over 200 athletes. We sampled every athlete to understand the different fits that were required.” Dina Asher-Smith, a sprinter and currently Britains fastest woman, echoes the problems faced by Simon Jersey. “For example as a sprinter I have powerful thighs and a really tiny waist, while a swimmer has really broad shoulders. When all of the athletes got together at a recent photo shoot it was remarkable to see how alike we all looked and how well the suit flattered everyone.


“Simon Jersey has genuinely done so well to create a suit that looks good on all body types. The suit is really neat and fits really well. Its comfortable to wear and the confidence it brings to the wearer is incredible.”


Mark England, chef de mission for


Team GB, is also full of praise for Simon Jersey: “The care and attention that Simon Jersey has given to the athletes is second to none. In previous years the contract has always gone to retailers such as


Next, Ben Sherman, Lee Cooper, so working with a corporatewear supplier was a bit of an unknown, but it has worked. Im no fashion guru, but every athlete we have spoken to loves the suit.” Simon Jersey has also provided the athletes with the outfit they will wear at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. This outfit will remain a closely guarded secret until the final night of the Games on August 21.


The Rio 2016 Olympic Games takes place from August 5 to 21.


A kit with a 21st century look and feel


The performance outfits S


imon Jersey may have designed and manufactured the formal suiting for Team GB, but the role of designing and manufacturing the performance outfits worn by the


athletes fell to Adidas creative director, Stella McCartney. The next generation, lightweight kit combines the very latest in technical innovation with Stellas signature modern design aesthetic. Every element of the range features cutting-edge Adidas technology to ensure that athletes can perform at their best in Rio. The kit has been made from a new lightweight, breathable synthetic Adizero fabric to create outfits that are on average 10% lighter than the ones worn in 2012. The different garments include Climachill technology, specially- developed materials which conduct heat and sweat away from the body to ensure athletes stay dry, comfortable and can perform at their best during the challenging Brazilian climate. Footwear will feature the unrivalled energy return of Adidas Boost technology, which is thought to provide an additional benefit to six sports, including tennis and basketball. Thought has even been given to the teams village-wear, where womens sweatshirts come cropped at the waist in line with current athleisure trends. Grey marl jersey – a timeless classic of sportswear-meets- weekend-casual – features in racer-back cool-down vests and hoodies with red drawstrings. The design features a new official and unique British Coat of Arms that has been specially created to act as a unifying symbol across both the Olympic and Paralympic teams, contrasting a traditional icon with a 21st century look and feel. The new heraldic badge incorporates a crown of medals and relay batons, representing community and teamwork, while three lions hold Olympic torches and wear laurel wreaths. The four home nations are represented by a rose, thistle, a leek and a flax. The motto translates as Conjoined in One. It was commissioned by Adidas and created by The College of Arms. Alongside the coat of arms, the design features the red, blue and white colours of the Union Flag expressed through contemporary silhouettes and innovative textures, creating an imposing look that will stand out. The overall look and feel of the Team GB kit is the result of extensive consultation with athletes. The creative design and testing process to ensure the kit was fit for the nations leading athletes to wear took two years.


L-R: Joe Joyce, boxer, Bill Sweeney, CEO of the BOA, Dina Asha-Smith, sprinter, Mark England, chef de mission of the BOA and James Saunders, MD of Simon Jersey wear the suit


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


Stella commented: “The goal for Rio 2016 was to rewrite the rules of performance and design for athletes, allowing them to look and feel like champions on and off the field. “The inspiration behind the design was this idea of contrasting British tradition with a modern attitude. The new Coat of Arms, specially commissioned for this project, and traditional Union Flag hues sit alongside bold textures and modern silhouettes to create a strong identity and make the athletes feel like a team.”


July 2016 | 61 |


The suits will be worn by athletes


ranging from age 14 to 60


Team GB’s largest medal haul at an away games is 47


Team GB made history at London 2012 with a total of 65 medals


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