One year ago we supplied Team GB with two outfits for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Here we take a look back at how we delighted the athletes and helped them to go for gold!
What we did
We supplied Team GB with two outfits for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – their formalwear plus the outfit they wore in the closing parade. Simon Jersey is the first corporate clothing supplier to provide clothing to Team GB, in a contract which is usually held by familiar designers and retail brands. However, having found limitations with the high street approach Team GB chose us based on our ability to dress and unite the most diverse of teams.
Ranging from petite gymnasts to muscular rowers, there is an incredibly varied range of body shapes within Team GB. To dress them all and give them the confidence to perform at their best we supplied suiting ranging from chest size 26” to 52” and shoes from size 1 to 16.
We worked with the athletes and the British Olympic Association on the designs for nearly two years, ensuring the two outfits offered the quality deserved by the nation’s best and that the two outfits which would inspire pride in their achievements.
Formalwear
Our modern, slim-fitting suiting design was a hit with the athletes from the very start. We went above and beyond any formalwear they’d been supplied before, including bespoke details such as the lion’s head logo in every button. We even ran a competition for children in the UK to have a message to the athletes inside the suit, with 10 children chosen to have their motivational words printed in the lining. It was this level of care that led to our suiting being declared by Team GB as “the best we’ve ever had”.
The suiting was seen at high profile events in Rio, for example when Andy Murray was famously announced as flag bearer, and on the return to the UK at a Buckingham Palace reception.
Paradewear
We knew Team GB would be ready for a celebration by the closing ceremony. We decided to create an outfit that showed the Rio carnival spirit in the unmistakeable Team GB colours of red white and blue. We ensured that the cameras were well and truly on Team GB by including red, white and blue flashing shoes – the first time wearable tech had been included in the closing ceremony.
We also designed a jacket to say thank you to Brazil, and hello to Japan ahead of Tokyo 2020 to help Team GB achieve its aim of being the best loved away team at any Olympic Games.
Fitting the athletes
Giving the athletes their kit for an Olympic Games is a major milestone on their way to becoming an Olympian. We gave them an experience to remember by setting up a pop up tailors shop at the Kitting Out event at the NEC in Birmingham. We gave them a full VIP experience and provided tailoring where necessary to ensure they felt their very best.
Closing Ceremony
Given such a successful Olympic Games, Team GB were able to celebrate in style with their red, white and blue flashing shoes which they held up for the cameras. The reaction from media worldwide was immense and interest was so great that we put the shoes on sale back in the UK the very next day.
If you’d like to read more about how we worked with Team GB visit our Team GB pages here!
