Ralph Lauren Unveils Sochi Olympics Uniforms

Montauk resident and fashion icon Ralph Lauren‘s new uniforms for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia were unveiled to the world on Tuesday through the company’s website, an article by the Associated Press and an appearance by U.S. Olympic hopefuls wearing his designs on the Today show.

After criticism that much of his uniforms for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London were made overseas, every article of clothing in Lauren’s new line will bear a “Made in the U.S.A.” label. Ralph Lauren executive vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications David Lauren told the Associated Press, “We have worked incredibly hard as a company to go across America to find the best partners to help us produce the Olympic uniforms at the highest quality for the best athletes in the world.”

The AP said the company used more than 40 vendors for the closing ceremony outfits, including “ranchers in the rural West to yarn spinners in Pennsylvania to sewers in New York’s Garment District.” The uniform features a navy peacoat with a red stripe, classic ski and/or holiday-style sweater with a reindeer design and a hand-sewn American flag, and a knit hat with tassel and ear flaps, along with an American flag and “U.S.A.” knit into it.

While Lauren designed the opening and closing ceremony uniforms and Olympic Village wear, gear and outfits for individual sports are made by various athletic wear companies, some of which have also chosen to use only clothing made in America.

To see all Lauren’s Olympic designs visit ralphlauren.com. The collection will be available for purchase on the site starting November 15.

In other news, Lauren has donated $500,000 to the new Fashion Manufacturing Initiative in New York City. Organized by Andrew Rosen and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the program strives to help factories expand and attract new business through funding and grants. “I was born in New York and started my business in the garment district here…This is something I’m very proud to be a part of,” he said in a statement.