Fashion Moments at the 2026 Winter Olympics
With the closing ceremonies wrapping up last Sunday, the 2026 Winter Olympics have come to a close. The games presented a stunning showcase of grit, glory, and finally - fashion. From hand-painted uniforms rich with cultural symbolism to couture gowns fit for a flag-bearing supermodel, this year’s Olympics reminded us that the world stage isn’t just for athletic excellence, it’s also a runway. Here were some of our favorite moments…
Haiti’s Opening Ceremony:
Art, History, and Resistance
One of the most powerful statements of the Opening Ceremony came from Team Haiti. Their looks were created by Stella Jean, the Haitian-Italian designer based in Milan known for weaving cultural storytelling into her work. Each piece was painted by hand, referencing both nature and a significant work by Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié. The piece depicts revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture riding a red horse. Because of International Olympic Committee rules around political neutrality, Louverture himself couldn’t be shown. Jean’s brilliant work-around gave a clear nod to the figure with a handpainted red horse, set against wild greenery and a cloudless sky.
The result was a stunning and deeply moving garment. The delegation wore trousers and zip-up jackets, with one female delegate in a puffer skirt and a traditional Haitian tignon (head wrap), a symbol of dignity and resistance. It was fashion as cultural preservation and quiet protest.
Ralph Lauren’s Shoppable Opening Ceremony Looks
Team USA, as always, leaned into classic Americana with Ralph Lauren returning yet again to provide the looks, but he didn’t stop with the ceremonies. The designer outfitted athletes for the ceremonies and then created a broader Team USA collection that fans can actually shop. (Yes, Olympics merch, but make it elevated.)
The result was a lineup of red, white, and blue pieces that balanced sportiness with that cozy, all-American luxury Ralph does so well. It felt on-brand, polished, and very Instagram-ready.
An Armani Tribute from Italy
Few moments were as visually striking as Italy’s tribute to Giorgio Armani during the opening ceremony. In a monochromatic display, 60 models wore tailored Armani suits in red, white, and green, mirroring the Italian tricolore. It was sharp, theatrical, and unmistakably Armani.
Then came the show-stopping finale: supermodel Vittoria Ceretti carrying the Italian flag in a fully custom white Giorgio Armani Privé gown. The moment felt especially resonant in light of Mr. Armani’s recent passing.
Oscar de la Renta on Ice
Canadian figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek brought a new level of sophistication to the rink thanks to custom designs from Oscar de la Renta. Her short program dress was hand-beaded with cap sleeves and a mock neckline, featuring a shimmering gold pattern that looked almost scale-like under the lights. The garment truly sang with every exquisite movement. Figure-skating is already one of the more glamorous events in-terms of dress, but skating in couture? Iconic.
Eileen Gu Won in a Look She Designed Herself
And then there’s Eileen Gu. The most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history returned to the Games wearing a one-of-a-kind custom ski suit she designed herself in collaboration with ANTA. The suit featured a crisp white base with bold cobalt blue detailing, sweeping graphics across the sleeves, and her own name, embroidered. The dragon, a symbol of strength and heritage, added cultural depth and dynamic movement to the technical silhouette. With structured seams, performance-driven fabrics, subtle gold accents, and tailored shaping, the look was engineered for elite competition while still feeling distinctly fashion-forward.
If this year’s Olympics proved anything, it’s that the Games are as much about storytelling as they are about sport. Through embroidery, intricate beadwork, and precise tailoring these pieces proved that a uniform can be more than regulation, it can be a canvas for heritage, national pride, and deeply personal expression.
At PRTNR Recruiting, we work with brands across fashion, performance apparel, and consumer lifestyle who understand that product is storytelling and the teams behind it matter. From design to production to merchandising and operations, the right leadership shapes moments like these long before they hit the global stage.
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