The upcoming Paris Olympics will see the Irish team making a grand entrance on the Seine in July, adorned in bespoke uniforms designed by Dublin native and now New York-based fashion designer, Laura Weber. The uniforms, under the LW Pearl label, consist of white suits tailor-made for both the opening and closing ceremonies and include a T-shirt, trousers, and shoes.
Each athlete’s uniform bears an individualistic touch, with unique county emblems decorated with beads, sequins, and stones, embroidered onto the sleeve of the blazers. In addition, the jackets are adorned with four shamrocks representing Ireland’s four provinces. A personal touch has been added to each jacket – the name of the athlete is embroidered on the inside, turning it into a unique memento.
The jacket used in the closing ceremony has been designed with a star strap around the neck, tailored to hold a medal comfortably and perfect for photo opps. Other notable features of the uniform include a colour gradient on the T-shirt that subtly represents Ireland’s blue sky and green pastures, and a Tricolour in the trousers’ side piping as a delicate nod to the national flag.
“The uniforms are a narrative I wanted to craft for Ireland. Clothing has the power to alter our feelings and persona, I aimed to create the finest for our athletes,” Weber commented.
A graduate in textiles from NCAD, Rathfarnham, and a resident of New York since 2013, Weber is renowned in Ireland for her exceptional embroidery. She gained international fame as the designer behind the coat and dress worn by First Lady Dr Jill Biden at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, and the green sequin gown worn by actress Saoirse Ronan for the Oscars 2016.
Occupying an influential position in the New York fashion scene, Weber has collaborated with a host of celebrity clientele and renowned designers, including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Gabriela Hearst, and Thom Browne. She’s also a fitness enthusiast and introduced her own athleisure brand three years ago.
The project of designing uniforms for around 150 Irish Olympians was an opportunity Weber welcomed and pitched to the Olympic Federation of Ireland in September 2021. The resulting designs harmoniously blend tradition with modern trends.
Weber expressed her pride in serving as Ireland’s representative on this huge global platform, interpreting the nation’s identity through her uniform designs.