RALPH LAUREN UNVEILS TEAM USA’S OPENING CEREMONY PARADE UNIFORM

by Stephen Garner Jul 14, 2021

Ralph Lauren unveiled on Wednesday Team USA’s Opening Ceremony Parade Uniform. The brand also debuted RL COOLING, a new wearable technology that serves as a self-regulating temperature cooling device that will be worn by Team USA’s flag bearer during the Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremony Parades in Tokyo.

The RL COOLING system is seamlessly integrated into the garment and disperses heat from the wearer’s skin through a sophisticated device that monitors and optimizes temperature and uses the same technology to cool the world’s most advanced computer systems. The effect is a cooling sensation that can be immediately felt and is long-lasting, even in the most oppressive heat.

Ralph Lauren first began exploration in this field with the debut of the Ralph Lauren Heated Jacket at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Research conducted by Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, an agency of the United States Department of Energy, suggests that personal thermal management is a portable and localized solution that, if scaled, has the potential to reduce the reliance on mass energy-intensive cooling systems, like HVAC systems, for personal comfort.

“Through the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Ralph Lauren celebrates America’s pioneering spirit and tradition, while embracing modernity and innovation — and it is with that ethos in mind that we approached the development of the RL COOLING technology,” said David Lauren, chief branding and innovation officer​ & vice chairman of the board, Ralph Lauren Corporation. “Recognizing Tokyo’s summer heat, we sought to develop a solution for Team USA that fuses fashion and function — allowing them to look and feel their best on one of the world’s biggest stages.”

“Ralph Lauren’s dedication to providing innovative, sustainable, and functional outfits for Team USA athletes helps elevate their Games time experience,” added Peter Zeytoonjian, senior vice president of consumer products at U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties (USOPP). “As our Olympic and Paralympic athletes step out on the global stage this summer, we’re proud to have the continued support of a brand whose thoughtful approach to how they can better serve our athletes uniquely benefits Team USA.”

Team USA’s 2020 Opening Ceremony Parade Uniform is a classic all-American look that incorporates sustainable materials within each piece. The look includes a navy blazer made from U.S.-grown wool; a striped T-shirt powered by ECOFAST Pure, an advanced pre-treatment solution by Dow that enables cotton to be dyed with less water, chemicals, and energy; a printed scarf, shoes, and a mask made from verified US-grown cotton; a striped belt made from Repreve recycled polyester derived from plastic water bottles; and a slim denim pant with a back patch made from MIRUM, an innovative leather-alternative material made from renewable resources that is free of synthetic plastics. Each item in the uniform is manufactured in the United States.

The entire Ralph Lauren 2020 Team USA Collection is available for purchase in select Ralph Lauren retail stores and U.S. department stores and online at ralphlauren.com and teamusashop.com.

2 Replies to “RALPH LAUREN UNVEILS TEAM USA’S OPENING CEREMONY PARADE UNIFORM”

  1. Just to add, Hickey Freeman made the blazer, and American Woolen made the fabric.

  2. As always — classic, preppy, tasteful and well-executed. Another nice job by Ralph Lauren. But does the Polo pony need to be as big (bigger?) than the Olympic patch? Yeah, I know it’s the global stage, and about as good and broad a branding opportunity as there is, but really? (I believe I’m showing my old-school preferences here, since I imagine there are many who would actually WANT a large Polo pony this obvious.)

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