Before Team Ireland even steps onto the starting line, they’ve already triumphed in the realm of fashion. Laura Weber, an Irish-born designer with a base in Manhattan and the founder of LW Pearl Atelier, designed their official parade uniforms for the opening and closing ceremonies. Weber’s atelier is known for its comprehensive range, from haute couture and celebrity fashion to high-end athletic wear and evening gowns.
Laura and her collaborator, Joseph Rein, amalgamate opulence with practicability in their ready-to-wear collection, updating traditional Irish rural attire with tailoring inspired by the elegance of the 1920s and 1950s.
This year is especially significant as it commemorates the centenary of Ireland’s maiden Olympic appearance in 1924, also held in Paris, as it was the first time the country participated as a sovereign state.
The outfits Laura designed for the 2024 Olympics are personalised, comprising two coats, a finely knitted T-shirt, trousers, and athletic shoes. She’s renowned in fashion circles as the key to her designs lies in her artistic approach to embroidery and ornamentation.
Every Team Ireland jacket is adorned with the athlete’s county emblem and four shamrocks, representing Ireland’s four provinces, using a variation of techniques. Additionally, each jacket front boasts the athlete’s name, all embroidered.
Weber engaged for over three years refining the initial designs and sought feedback from a diverse set of Olympic athletes. Overheating concerns lead to the selection of Eco-hybrid taffeta for the attire, a sustainable, lightweight, and soft fabric produced from recycled plastic bottles and T-shirts.
The jackets sport a unique trait, an opening in the back for superior breathability. The opening ceremony jackets, in white, pay homage to the Olympic Games’ Greek origins while aiding with heat regulation.
The green closing ceremony jacket, with inspiration drawn from vintage tracksuits of the 80s and 90s, integrates a unique strap around the neckline. When an athlete mounts their medal, the strap configures into a star, a symbol which speaks volumes, even in the absence of a medal.