Fashion Leader Korea Touts Sophisiocated Olympic Uniforms

Published on 2012/08/04 | Source

The Olympic Games stand for tradition, sport, global camaraderie and… fashion?

Though perhaps not center stage, sartorial design and fashion have played a big role at the Olympics. From the Opening Ceremony outfits, to figure skaters' sparkly leotards, to even speedos (though you wonder how much design detail you can squeeze onto one of those), the fashion at the games is always buzzworthy.

Take for instance this article by CNN that shows you Olympics fashion throughout the years.
Or this Olympics Tumblr, which has one section specially dedicated to fashion.

Photo Credit: Olympicfashion.tumblr.com

Or Vogue's coverage of Olympic fashion, featuring clothes by top designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani and Salvatore Ferragamo.

Photo Credit: Luxpresso

Time Magazine recently selected South Korea's Olympic uniforms some of the best, saying, "These sailor-inspired suits are some of the most sophisticated uniforms we've seen. The blazer has a nice cut, giving athletes some actual shape, and the red scarves are a nice accent".

The Korean Olympic Committee sponsored the outfits and they were created by Bean Pole, a division of Samsung's Cheil Industries. It joins traditional Korean cultural elements with modern British style.

According to Bean Pole, the design was developed under the concept of honoring the 1948 Olympics, referring to the first Olympics in which Korea participated under its own flag after gaining independence from Japanese colonial rule. The 2012 uniforms are a modern reinterpretation of the look of the uniforms from those games.

The color palette of the uniforms consist of white, red and navy, all of which are seen on Korea's national flag. You can see these colors throughout the outfits, such as in the jacket colors, scarves and ties. The nautical navy blazers, oxford shirts and pants add traditional British styling details.

One unique detail in the uniform is the inclusion of messages from Korean fans that are stitched into the lining of the jackets.

FILA Korea (FILA has been Korean-owned and operated since 2007, in case you didn't know) the official sponsor and partner of the Korea Sports Council (KSC) designed the uniforms that athletes wear at awards ceremonies. They also created special sports sets that include racksuits, T-shirts, pants, shoes, hats and bags.

Like the dressier uniforms from Bean Pole, these also incorporate elements of the Korean flag, such as the blue and red yin-yang pattern. These uniforms also include dancheong, traditional multicolored paintwork found on wooden buildings like palaces and temples, symbolizing the traditional beauty of Korea.

What do you think? Which countries had the best uniforms? Share your thoughts in the comments!

by Donna Choi

Born and raised in the States, I came to Seoul in 2009 and have loved living and working in such a high-tech and connected city ever since. I enjoy collecting unique, cute gadgets/items (I have a bread-scented smartphone case!) and traveling around Korea. My personal mission while living in Korea: Try every type of Korean food known to exist.

- Follow @advancedtechkr Twitter
- https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedTechKOR