Page 35 - Team TTO PARIS 2024
P. 35

W                                                      Pure Trini
                      hen Team TTO shows up to the opening
                      ceremony in Paris on July 26, they’ll be decked
                      off in kit designed by Paris-based Trinbagonian
                                                                             S
                      urbanwear brand The Hideout Clothing.
            TTOC President Diane Henderson said the TTOC worked          wag
            with creative industries unit FashionTT and THC to create
            a clothing brand for the Games that connected Team TTO
            to Paris.                                              for Olympic

            “We felt designing opening ceremony wear would instill
            additional pride in our athletes as they step onto the global       Opening
            stage.”

            THC was founded in Trinidad by Sebastien “Bas” Gibert and
            the late Rashad Rodriguez in 2012.  The Paris flagship shop
            was opened in the trendy area of Le Marias in January
            2024 and Gibert felt THC should be involved with Team
            TTO in some way.

            “It was an idea that came to me when I realised the Games
            was taking place in Paris, and we have our first flagship store
            in the heart, in Le Marais. I reached out to the Olympic
            Committee with the aid of FashionTT to make it happen
            and I am grateful for it.”

            Gibert (pictured, right) researched many aspects of T&T’s
            culture and geography for inspiration. In the end, he chose the
            coral snake as his inspiration. The small venomous snake is
            indigenous to Trinidad (not Tobago) and its red, white and black
            bands are the same colours as the national flag.

            “I think the coral snake is reflective of us at the Olympics, we’re
            small and we can strike hard by winning medals.”


            Gibert didn’t reveal many specifics about the outfits, but he
            did say he wanted them to reflect our Trinidadian identity.
            “I wanted to do something that truly reflects us so I went with
            a comfortable silhouette, casual but dressy. I also added an
            accessory across the chest that represents the diagonal in our flag.”
            Trinidad and Tobago now joins a number of countries who select top
            indigenous designers to fashion their athletes’ wear for the Olympics.
            In the past, the UK has worn clothing by Stella McCartney and
            Burberry, the US has Ralph Lauren andfor 2024, the French have
            turned to Berluti and Carine Roitfeld for their opening outfits.


            The French plan to wow the world with the 2024 Olympic opening
            ceremony. It’s the first to be held outside of a stadium as it will be held
            along the River Seine. According to the official Olympic website, “the
            parade of athletes will be held on the Seine with boats for each national
            delegation. These boats will be equipped with cameras to allow television
            and online viewers to see the athletes up close.”






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