The 2024 Paris Olympics Was The Most Fashionable Yet
Graphic by Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez
This year’s Summer Olympic Games, held in Paris, were arguably the most fashion-forward we have ever seen. From the likes of French and American designers dressing prominent celebrities to the athletes who added their personal touch while competing, the style game was strong in the fashion capital of the world. Here are some memorable fashion moments throughout the 16-day event.
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At the Opening Ceremony, Team Mongolia was dressed by Mongolian couture label Michel & Amazonka and they did not disappoint. Athletes wore a perfectly tailored gold embroidered bird and mountain uniform with the nation's colors of blue, red and white throughout the garments. Needless to say, it was a refreshing sight to behold.
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Team Liberia took an avant-garde approach to their uniforms with the help of New York brand Telfar. Liberian American designer Telfar Clemens dressed the team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has returned to design uniforms for the team. The black unisex gowns displayed an Africa-shaped neckline and mesh running down the garment for a relaxed yet fashionable entrance to the games.
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Prominent actors, singers and politicians who attended the Olympics were dressed up and ready to support their countries and favorite athletes. Actresses and singers Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande embraced their ‘Wicked’ characters at the Opening Ceremony. Erivo donned a stunning emerald green dress, hat, shoes and jewelry created by Louis Vuitton. Grande was “pretty in pink” while sporting a Thom Browne dress with matching pink and white shoes, gloves and a bow in her hair.
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Opening Ceremony performers Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, Axelle Saint-Cirel and Celine Dion all have one thing in common – they were dressed by French fashion house Christian Dior Haute Couture. Gaga wore a black feather headpiece, jacket, satin bustier and panties along with a detachable black and pink feather skirt during her performance on the riverside. Nakamura was dressed in a short gold feather dress while performing on the Pont des Arts along with the French Republican Guards military band.
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Saint-Cirel stunted a dress that resembled the French flag while singing the French National Anthem on the roof of the Grand Palais. To end off the night, Dion’s comeback to incredible live vocals was accompanied by a long white silk georgette gown with thousands of silver pearls adorning the fringe.
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For Team USA athletes, nail art and bling were the avenues to express themselves while competing for the gold. Gymnast Simone Biles wore a bejeweled leotard, tooth gems and a diamond goat necklace after she won her sixth gold medal.
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Track and field athletes Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles both used their nails for creative expression coupled with jewels. While competing in the Women’s 4 x 100 meters relay, Richardson wore nails that boldly stated “I’m not back. I’m better” along with the colors of the American flag and of course, some bling.
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Lyles competed in the Men’s 100-meter race and sported an iced-out black, yellow and silver necklace with red, white and blue stars, lightning bolts and cross nails. Both Richardson and Lyles won the gold medal in their respective races.
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Rapper and NBC Paris 2024 Olympics correspondent Snoop Dogg was the talk of the town not just because of how he was having an amazing time, but his fashion moments. From his custom tracksuits with Team USA athletes' faces on them to the various amounts of Olympic-themed accessories while watching events, Dogg knows a good time and he didn’t fall short of delivering American pride at the Olympics.
Once all 32 sports events finished and the medals were distributed to the winning athletes, it was time to say “au revoir” and the Closing Ceremony began.
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French indie-pop band Phoenix, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, actor Tom Cruise and singer and songwriter H.E.R. appeared during the first half of the program, which took place in the Stade de France. Cruise received the Olympic flag from Biles and Bass before speeding off in a motorcycle, beginning its journey to Los Angeles.
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American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage to kick off the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Then, singer and songwriter Billie Eilish performed her smash hit “Birds of a Feather” while wearing a navy blue Ralph Lauren hat, white polo, khaki shorts and black Nike shoes.
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Dogg, dressed in a red-white-and-blue blazer, took the stage to perform classics such as “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “The Next Episode,” during which rapper Dr. Dre joined him on stage.
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French singer Yseult ended the ceremony by singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” while wearing a custom Dior Haute Couture black faille silk suit.
The 16-day competition was full of surprises, controversy and incredible fashion moments to look back on. Yet, there is no need to yearn for another Olympic Games, as the Winter Olympics occur in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy in 2026 and another Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. It is only time to see where the intersection of athletics and fashion takes us.