Team Ireland will be wearing designs by Laura Weber, a native of Dublin now based in New York, at the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The sleeve of Team Ireland's Opening Ceremony outfit is adorned with an "artistically interpreted" embroidered county patch of each Irish Olympian.
"As designers, we interpreted the emblems, and through beads, sequins, and stones, we embellished our response to them," Weber said upon the launch of Team Ireland's Opening Ceremony outfits back in April.
"This is easily one of my favorite parts of the uniforms.
"I expertly design customary work, and this element gives each athlete that feeling of uniqueness and personalization."
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As well as the Opening Ceremony suits, Weber designed trainers, the Closing Ceremony jackets, the Olympic Federation of Ireland Executive Suits, and Hospitality Team Uniforms.
This week, just ahead of the 2024 Opening Ceremonies in Paris, Weber told RTÉ News: "All the athletes chose their county and the crest has been embroidered and placed on the jacket sleeve.
"Not only is this an amazing talking point for all the athletes, but it felt like a special tribute to all their families, their communities, their villages that have supported them just to get to the Olympics."
The Irish designer added: "I have definitely dreamt of projects and collaborations like this.
"This one is particularly special and the most special part is that I got to meet all these amazing athletes.
"They are people who will inspire me for the rest of my life. Not only their discipline, hard work and dedication, but just their kindness and temperament.
"It has just been an absolute privilege to get to meet these athletes," she said.
Team Ireland's uniform for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics will feature an embroidered county crest for each athlete to showcase their home county. Athletes from 31 counties will represent Ireland at the Games.
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 23, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/SpzO0QulYe#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/YeFzAfjUSL
Revealing the Opening Ceremony wear back in April, the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) said Weber, through her brand LW Pearl, created a bespoke uniform for the Irish Olympic team that "reflects a balance between tradition and contemporary trends, in line with the 100th anniversary of Team Ireland competing at the Olympic Games."
As well as the embroidered county patches, features of Weber's designs include a focus on sustainability - fabrics are made from recycled plastics with practical elements to ensure athletes stay cool in the heat.
Meanwhile, there are four shamrocks in different techniques of embellishments representing the four provinces of Ireland, and on the inside facing of each jacket, the name of the athlete is included in embroidery making it a permanent and treasured souvenir for each athlete.
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The Closing Ceremony jacket includes strapping around the neck that forms a star to frame a medal for comfort and iconic photographs.
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The OFI said that Team Ireland athletes represent the best of Irish athletic talent, and, similarly, Weber represents the best of Irish talent in her field.
Speaking at the official launch, Weber said: “I am so proud to represent and interpret Ireland’s identity on a global stage.
"I wanted our athletes to look amazing while they perform at their peak on behalf of Ireland. The Olympic uniforms were a story I wanted to tell for Ireland.
"Clothes change how you feel, and how you show up, and I wanted to make the best for our athletes. I want to thank every athlete, and the Olympic Federation of Ireland, for allowing me this opportunity to work with the team.”
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Speaking on behalf of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Gavin Noble, Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Paris 2024, added: “We are delighted to officially announce LW Pearl as the designer of Opening Ceremony wear for Team Ireland at the Paris Olympic Games this summer.
"Laura Weber is one of Ireland’s brightest talents in the fashion world, and it is very fitting that on our 100th year of competing at the Olympic Games that we work with someone who also represents the Best of Ireland.”
31/32 counties representing @TeamIreland at the Games - proud of that stat.
Each athlete will have their own specially designed county crest embroidered on their ceremony wear to represent community
We must set up a talent ID programme in our missing county :) pic.twitter.com/rhX7sosz3L
— gavin noble OLY (@gavontwitt) July 22, 2024
Speaking at the launch, Team Ireland athlete Dean Clancy (Sligo, Boxing) said: “Getting to see the Opening Ceremony outfits makes it very real.
"The Olympic Games is the pinnacle of any athlete’s career, and it will be an especially proud moment for all of us athletes and our families this year, kicking off with the parade of nations on the Seine."
Irish Olympian Lara Gillespie (Wicklow, Cycling) added: “I love the Opening Ceremony outfits and in particular the sustainable design.
"As athletes, we know that while we are representing Ireland on the biggest stage, so many people and communities have brought us here, and this is reflected by Laura in the design elements.”
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The Opening Ceremonies for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France will be held this Friday, July 26. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the Opening Ceremony takes place outside the stadium, on the River Seine, with each nation parading on a boat.
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