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Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Victory Ceremony Costumes

FEBRUARY 2, 2010 By: cancansoo

It was an incredible honour when we were selected to design and produce the official costumes to be worn by medal bearers and athlete escorts at the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Our design team drew on their impressive pool of creative prowess and technical skill to create three different costumes that are not only chic, functional and impeccably made but also reflective of Vancouver's West Coast heritage in way that is distinctly modern.

We've been waiting with bated breath for this day to come so that we can finally show you what our design team have created (we're pretty sure the design director lost sleep many times making sure everything is *just* right).  Their efforts have clearly paid off because we're in love with the results.

1.  The Heritage Sweater - This piece will be worn by medal and flower bearers at indoor ceremonies.  Each piece was individually hand knit based on the techniques derived from our First Nations artisans.  Every piece is unique and based on a colour palette inspired by the sky, forest and ocean.  The belts were hand-tooled and embossed with First Nations artwork.

2.  The Cocoon Parka - To be worn by medal and flower bearers in outdoor ceremonies, this warm, enveloping parka was designed with a sculptural silhouette that hugs every curve.  The coat is accented with a web scarf inspired by a cobweb interlaced with leaves and foliage.

3.  The Vintage Ski Coat - Athlete escorts at both indoor and outdoor ceremonies will don this tailored piece inspired by vintage ski coats.  Each coat is hand flocked with the art of the medals created by a renowned Canadian First Nations artist. 

To find more shots and a behind the scenes video of the costumes click lookbook.

Comments

March 21, 2010 @ 8:06 PM: D

I'd like all three of these, PLEASE!!! ;)

March 17, 2010 @ 5:52 PM: Aurora

Loved your designs for all 3 costumes. I was so very proud of Canada and BC for keeping the First Nations spirit alive and well in every way. I absolutely love the Heirtage Sweater, and would love to knit it. I realize I would need Size 50 needles, would have to spin the roving ever so gently, but would love to have the pattern if available....even some of the complete kits as some have mentioned. Congratulations on an INCREDIBLE, SENSITIVE and CONNECTED collection. Very happy and proud of all of you!

March 4, 2010 @ 10:01 PM: Anonymous

amazing collection and i just ADORE the song in the video! Looked her up and am so happy Aritzia is supporting Toronto-based artists. Also saw that katie stelmanis has played with coco rosie, lykke li and tegan and sara.......AMAZING.

March 3, 2010 @ 7:50 AM: Helen

I too would love to purchase a Heritage Sweater if they become available. Absolutely fabulous design and delivery. A pattern and wool kit would also be appreciated. Please advise if you ever start to sell them. Thanks for the lovely designs, they worked great.

March 2, 2010 @ 9:10 AM: Anonymous

These are so gorgeous, and looked beautiful at the medal ceremonies. I would love to know if some variant of them could be purchased, or if you release a pattern for the knitted jacket. I'll keep my eye out for more of your work. Congratulations!

March 1, 2010 @ 9:24 PM: Keri

I found myself pausing the tv at the medal ceremonies so I could get a better look at the Heritage sweater. The chunky sweater is beautiful. It reminds me of a foggy day in B.C. and would be cozy on a rainy day in California. I too would be interested in the pattern. Applause for your designs.

March 1, 2010 @ 5:01 PM: Amanda

LOVE the outfits!! Especially the Heritage Chunky Sweater. I would definitely love to own one and I hope that they are released or a pattern for them will be available!! Great job!!

March 1, 2010 @ 12:15 PM: cancansoo

We'll definitely let everyone know if we decide to make the actual pieces available for sale ... or, if we decide to release a knitting pattern.  Thanks so much for all the compliments - our team worked really hard on those pieces to make sure they turned out perfectly.

March 1, 2010 @ 3:13 AM: Anonymous

What about the boots worn by the models? Did you design them as well?

March 1, 2010 @ 12:12 PM: cancansoo

Ah, it would be great if we made shoes too, wouldn't it?!  But, no, those boots were made by Aldo for the ceremonies.

March 1, 2010 @ 2:26 AM: Marianne Capra

I applaud you on your lovely, exquisite designs for the 2010 Olympic games !!!! I would love to purchase the chunky knit sweater coat (The Heritage Sweater and belt)- please notify me if this is possible and reserve one for me !!!! I just had a beautiful baby on Christmas and a sweater coat like this would fit so nice right now !!! Thank You.

February 28, 2010 @ 10:26 PM: Shirley T

The Heritage Sweater, belt and boots combo is gorgeous!!! I would love love love to see it for sale :)

February 28, 2010 @ 6:35 PM: Claudia

Just finished watching Canada win 3 to 2 for Gold in men's hockey. What a game!! My daughters and I absolutely love what you have done with designing such fantastic outfits for the presenters. It speaks to the organic yet simple elegance of Canadian style. Wondering if the sweater is available at your Ottawa stores and where we might find the gorgeous boots. Thanks, Claudia.

February 28, 2010 @ 12:02 AM: Helen

Everytime I see the Heritage Sweater on television I want it! They look great! Even though I do pay attention to the athletes, it this sweater I find myself looking for and at. Great job on this collection! I love the color palette.

February 27, 2010 @ 12:47 PM: Anonymous

Ahh, I am obsessed with the Heritage Sweater - love, love, love it! Please do let us know if you plan on selling them. I would love to get my hands on one of those gorgeous sweaters!

February 26, 2010 @ 10:47 PM: Judy

The Vintage Ski Coat 2010 Olympic Games has a lace like bottom. Is this a separate piece or part of the coat? Nice design!

March 1, 2010 @ 5:10 PM: cancansoo

It's actually a separate piece and slips on like a skirt.

February 26, 2010 @ 10:39 PM: Anonymous

Lovely designs. Would pay for the pattern to the heritage sweater so I could make one for myself!

February 26, 2010 @ 10:02 PM: Linnea

The fiber and texture of the Heritage Sweater is amazing. I have been trying to see more details on TV and am so glad that "Ravelry" the knitters blog/ website had your link. Will you consider selling a modified pattern? And can you share details on the fiber? I hope that you can take advantage of this opportunity since I think creative knitters and spinners would be on board! Again, great designs very inspiring!

February 26, 2010 @ 5:36 PM: Heidi

Greetings from Norway, Your designs are terrific, and spotting the clothes on TV is one of the highlights of the Vancouver Olympics. I was pleased to discover your web site., but where might one purchase the beautiful Vintage Ski Coat....? Living in a country far away, I suppose it could be a challenge. Anyway, I thought I'd ask. Best of luck with the rest of the Olymics. Kind regards, Heidi

February 26, 2010 @ 5:40 PM: cancansoo

Hello to you, Heidi, all the way in Norway!  How nice it is to hear from a faraway fan. :)  The coats are really great, huh?  Unfortunately, they are not available for sale at the moment.  If anything changes in that department, stay tuned to this site because we'll let everyone know here first.  Thanks!

February 18, 2010 @ 11:38 AM: Carmen

Beautiful! The architecture and craftsmanship of these costumes are stunning. The laid-back sophistication of west coast culture is easily seen in the design of these coats. Well done!

February 15, 2010 @ 7:31 PM: Anonymous

The coats are gorgeous! Well done Aritzia! Your designs are always original and totally represent our Canadian sense of fashion! I would love to have the vintage ski coat! Congratulations!

February 15, 2010 @ 8:12 PM: k

After the Olympics are wrapped and if we have any coats left, we will certainly let everyone know if they can be sold

February 15, 2010 @ 10:28 AM: julie

You've done an amazing job on the women's victory ceremony costumes. The designs are beautiful and fashion forward but in a way that won't upstage the true focus of the Olympic games -- the athletes! Congratulations on your terrific work!

February 15, 2010 @ 1:44 PM: k

Thanks Julie! We really are flattered by your compliments!

February 13, 2010 @ 6:31 AM: Anonymous

The "helpers" who will wear these costumes I think should have subdued colors. I think it would look bad for them to stand out color-wise from the medal winners. Anyway, very well done, especially the ski coat.

February 11, 2010 @ 11:01 AM: Jennifer G

BEAUTIFUL! These pieces are so classy and elegant. I can't wait to get my hands on them!

February 10, 2010 @ 11:30 PM: Anonymous

I love these coats and can't wait to see them on the volunteers! Will the general public be able to purchase them after the games?

February 11, 2010 @ 12:52 PM: k

Thanks for the compliments! We are all so excited about the costume! To be honest we are not sure what the fate of the extra costumes will be - send your contact information to feedback@aritzia.com and as soon as we find out we'll contact you.

February 10, 2010 @ 4:43 PM: Anonymous

These are beautiful. Congratulations. We saw them (black and white photo) in the Edmonton Journal yesterday and had to look online to see the colours. Well done.

February 9, 2010 @ 7:09 PM: Anonymous

Well done, cannot wait to see them on the volunteers !

February 6, 2010 @ 4:56 AM: Anonymous

I can't say I like these costumes one bit. They do not embody the Canadian culture at all. what are the men going to wear? who designed their stuff? it would be interesting to see the dichotomy between the men's and women's costumes. I feel that there should have been some red in this... sorry, but i'm sadly disappointed...

February 8, 2010 @ 3:12 PM: k

The customes are actually entirely inspired by the West Coast - the home of the 2010 games. The colour palette is entirely inspired by the Sea to Sky. We know there was an expectation of red, but red is not within the official colours of the Games and the costumes are meant to compliment but never take away from the athletes. Many of the athlete's uniforms consist of red so it is a colour we could not use.

 

We love these costumes but know that with an international audience, you'll never please everyone.

 

The men's customes were developed by Arcteryx and follow in the same colour scheme - blues, greens and greys.

February 6, 2010 @ 3:08 AM: sandra

what song is it in the video for the collection? i love it... the collection is amazing - i will be really proud to see them worn during the olympics!

February 8, 2010 @ 3:19 PM: k

Isn't it amazing! The song is called "Believe Me" by Toronto's own Katie Stelmanis. Check her out: http://www.myspace.com/katiestelmanis

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