Team GB kit for London 2012 Olympics designed by Stella McCartney and Adidas launched - Telegraph Advertisement Team GB kit for London 2012 Olympics designed by Stella McCartney and Adidas launched A Union flag redrawn in two shades of blue will be the centrepiece of the British team’s official Olympic kit this summer after Stella McCartney largely jettisoned red from her designs for the Team GB uniforms. Must have: Jack Rodwell models the Team GB football shirt Cycling chic: Sir Chris Hoy in his cycling kit Grand Slam: Andy Murray in the tennis kit Medal hope: heptathlete Jessica Ennis models the Team GB kit Speed: Lizzie Armitstead in her track cycling kit Home style: Drew Sullivan in the basketball kit Alll dressed up: Phillips Idowu models the kit By Paul Kelso , Chief Olympic Correspondent 10:00PM GMT 22 Mar 2012 Comments The absence of the colour from McCartney’s interpretation of the Union flag drew significant comment at the kit unveiling at the Tower of London, with the designer saying she had tried to reinterpret the flag.

Red features as trimming on many of the 590 individual articles of kit that have been created for Team GB by Adidas, and some socks and shoes are all-red, but the predominate colours are several shades of blue and white. The red in the Union flag represents the cross of St George, for England, and the cross of St Patrick, for Ireland, and its absence drew a mixed response on social networking sites. Among those unimpressed was double Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins, who tweeted: “Oh dear — the Olympic kit” shortly after its launch. Wiggins, who was sponsored by Adidas until last year, later deleted the comment. McCartney, retained as Adidas creative director, said she had tried to give the flag a contemporary twist. “The first place to start on a project like this is to look at the Union flag. Related Articles Games caught in battle of the brands 07 Mar 2012 For me it is one of the most beautiful flags in the world and it is important for me to stay true to that iconic design but also to modernise it and present it in a contemporary way,” she said.

“Ultimately, we wanted the athletes to feel like a team and to be proud with the identity we created.” Among Adidas athletes attending the launch however there was enthusiastic support for the kit, which has been two years in development and has featured input from potential medal hopes, including Phillips Idowu.. Jessica Ennis, who was consulted by McCartney, said she was excited to try on the kit in which she hopes she will win Olympic gold and she defended the sparing use of red. “I think its nice, its got subtle bits [of red], the colour stands out more when you have little bits of red,” she said. “Having the launch of the kit with Stella involved has been a totally unique experience, it really feels like the Games are upon us. "Stella was really keen to know how you like your kit to fit. Because there are so many sports, she wanted to know how you feel it helps you perform. So I spoke to her about length of leggings and the cut of shorts and things. “I remember my first Team GB kit was really multi-coloured down the side, but over the years it has just got better and better. It is really exciting to wear it, it’s all clean cut, it’s just gorgeous.

It’s much better than the previous ones.” Ennis said she would not be taking any of the kit home with her for fear of inviting bad luck. “I think it’s not a great position to be in, taking it away with you now. I think you should wait until you are safely selected for the team before you collect your kit,” she said. Triathlete Alistair Brownlee, one of Britain’s strongest gold medal hopes, believes the strip is perfect for his sport. “The material’s fantastic, it’s fast in the water but dries quickly,” he said. “It fits very well because you don’t want it baggy in the water or too tight for the cycling and running. It’s a really good, functional piece of kit.” Video: Kit unveiling Adidas will produce 175,000 items of clothing for the 550-strong British team, which will be distributed at the team’s pre-Games preparation camp at Loughborough. Among the items unveiled yesterday was the Team GB football shirt, predominantly blue, which will be worn by a British team taking part in an Olympic finals competition for the first time since 1948.

A replica of the shirt, modelled by English players Frazier Campbell and Jack Rodwell, will be available to buy for £50. The away kit, predominantly white, will not be on public sale. As well as the football kit, swimming, cycling, tennis, basketball and track-and-field replica equipment will be on public sale. Idowu, who worked with McCartney on the design, said: “I love what Stella has done with the design. Looking good is psychologically important but my sprint suit is also technically advanced, so not only do I look good but I also have confidence in the technology in the kit.” The kit will be manufactured in Adidas factories in Turkey, Portugal, the Far East and a small amount in the UK. What did the athletes tweet?

&amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Bradley Wiggins - Oh Dear, The Olympic kit!!&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: kelly sotherton - having listened to &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@StellaMcCartney&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; on itv news changing up the union jack is a novel and stylish idea. Obviously my opinion.

&amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#teamgb&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Louise Hazel - Personally I like the way that Stella has chosen the white striped &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#vajazzle&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; it's &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#bangontrend&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: andy turner - So what do u all think of the new Olympic kit? I'm undecided, looks....ok.

(Should have a swoosh rather than stripes too)&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; London 2012 Olympics uniforms to be made from recycled materials | Metro News London 2012 Olympics uniforms to be made from recycled materials Kavi Shah Monday 30 May 2011 12:08 pm Uniforms for volunteers, torchbearers and staff at the London 2012 Olympic Village will be made from recycled materials – while designer Stella McCartney will produce the Team GB athletes gear. Designer: Triple jumper Phillips Idowu wears the Adidas Team GB range designed by Stella McCartney while staff and volunteers will be kitted out in recycled material uniforms (Picture: PA) Sports giant and sponsor for the London 2012 sportswear, Adidas, hopes that using the recycled content will make it the Games ‘sustainable’. Buttons, polyester and cotton for clothing will be from recycled materials, and there are plans for a special shoe to be made too. Adidas also plans on making drinking bottles, which it claims will be the first 100% recycled bottle in the world.

Chief executive Herbert Hainer said: ‘Every product within the volunteer staff and the torch relay and within the village will have recycled material.’ German sportswear maker Adidas is also hoping that the team GB uniform, which will be designed by Stella McCartney, will become a must-have item for Olympics goers. Athlete Holly Avil wears Stella McCartney’s team GB uniform. Adidas hopes that this will be snapped up as the must-have item of the London 2012 Games (Picture: PA) Miss McCartney, daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul, is creative director of the Adidas Team GB ranges, and will oversee the design of the athletes’ kit and fan clothing. Mr Hainer thinks it will do well. He said: ‘I have seen the prototypes already and I think what she is designing is truly phenomenal.’ The sports firm is investing £100m into the Olympic Games in London next year, and hopes the merchandise will generate £100m of sales, and will help it steal market leadership from rival Nike. Mr Hainer added: ‘We want to achieve market leadership in the UK by 2015 at the latest.

The Olympics is definitely a pillar for that.’Adidas is kitting out the host nation’s athletes with gear designed by Stella McCartney and also making the official London 2012 sports apparel merchandise for sale in the UK, which will not feature the group’s three-stripes logo. As official sportswear partner, Adidas will also provide clothing for the athletes to wear in the Olympic village and for volunteers. More London 2012 Olympic Fashion & Clothing: Stella, Kate Moss, Ceremonies | British Vogue 9 items <a href=""> SEE ALL THE PARTY ACTION ON VOGUETV</a> Updated Tuesday July 24, 8.40am: <a href=""> Karl Lagerfeld</a> will personally unveil his Olympic-themed collection at Selfridges tonight, but <a href=""> see a preview exclusively here.</a> Updated Monday July 23, 10.12am: <a href=""> Victoria Beckham</a> has confirmed that the Spice Girls will reunite to perform at the London 2012 Olympics.

<a href=""> READ MORE ABOUT THE REUNION</a> READ NEXT #SuzyPFW Stella McCartney And Sacai: Woman To Women By Suzy Menkes Updated Friday July 20, 10.22am: <a href="">Salvatore Ferragamo</a> has designed the official uniform for the Republic of San Marino's Olympic athletes. <a href=""> SEE FERRAGAMO'S OLYMPIC KIT HERE</a> Updated Thursday July 19, 9.42am: Hermès is creating the kits for the French Olympic equestrian team, designing a specially-made jacket. <a href=""> SEE A SKETCH OF THE JACKET HERE</a> READ NEXT Is Stella Menswear On The Way? By Scarlett Conlon Updated Wednesday July 18, 10.36am: Absolutely Fabulous is set to show <a href=""> an Olympic-themed special episode</a> on Monday July 23, also starring Stella McCartney.

<a href=""> READ MORE ABOUT THE AB FAB OLYMPICS</a> Updated Monday July 9, 11.53am: <a href=""> Karl Lagerfeld</a> is launching an Olympic-inspired collection at Selfridges on July 24, named Team Karl. <a href=""> READ THE FULL STORY HERE</a> READ NEXT Stella Launches Copyright Lawsuit By Scarlett Conlon Updated Thursday June 14, 10.48am: Opening Ceremony has unveiled its collection with Adidas Originals, inspired by the London 2012 Olympics. <a href=""> SEE THE COLLECTION IN FULL HERE </a> Updated Thursday June 14, 10.48am: <a href=""> Angelina Jolie</a> and <a href="">Brad Pitt</a> are rumoured to host one of the Olympics' most glamorous parties at the V&A on July 25 - <a href=""> read the full story here</a>.

<a href=""> SEE JOLIE'S STYLE IN PICTURES</a> READ NEXT Stella Launches The Louise Listening Bra By Scarlett Conlon Updated Tuesday June 12, 11.43am: <a href="">H&M</a> is opening two pop-up boutiques, carrying solely sportswear, to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics. <a href=""> READ THE FULL STORY HERE</a> Updated Wednesday June 6, 11.56am: <a href="">Kate Moss</a>, <a href="">Naomi Campbell</a> and <a href="">Rosie Huntington-Whiteley</a> are set to appear at the London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony, reports today suggest - <a href=""> READ THE FULL STORY HERE</a> Updated Friday May 18, 9.11am: David Beckham smiled and raised his eyebrows yesterday as an announcer at the Olympic torch handover in Athens twice introduced him as "Sir David Beckham".

The footballer accompanied London Mayor Boris Johnson - who said the rain during the ceremony was obviously in order to "acclimatise the torch to British weather" - and the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, head of the British Olympic Association, to collect the flame and transport it to Britain. The flame will now begin a 70-day, 8,000-mile relay as it is transported by 8,000 torchbearers to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony on July 27. READ NEXT By Scarlett Conlon <a href=""> SEE THE BEST OLYMPIC FASHION CAMPAIGNS</a> Updated Friday May 11, 9.56am: <a href="">Giorgio Armani</a> has unveiled his official kit for the Italian National Olympic Team. Designed under the designer's EA7 Emporio Armani sportswear line, the collection will feature 50 pieces - from suitcases and tracksuits to Bermuda shorts, T-shirts and training shoes. Rather than choosing the colours of Italy's flag, Armani's range comes in white and midnight blue - the country's traditional competitive colour.

The inside of each jacket, polo shirt and sweatshirt will feature words from the Italian national anthem, Mameli's Hymn. <a href=""> SEE ALL THE OLYMPIC KITS HERE</a> Updated Thursday May 10, 10.08am: In addition to designing the Team GB official kits, <a href=""> which were unveiled in March</a>, <a href="">Stella McCartney</a> has also created an Olympic Villagewear collection - intended for the country's athletes to wear off the field, but also for Olympic fans to buy. The range will launch in stores on May 18. McCartney will also launch a Gold collection on June 18 - a celebration of both the Olympics and her previous Adidas lifestyle offerings. READ NEXT 18 items <a href=""> SEE THE VILLAGEWEAR COLLECTION</a> "The inspiration for the Villagewear collection was to create a more relaxed kit that remained stylish yet comfortable for the athletes," McCartney told us.

"It was also important to unify the team, as the one piece of information that really stuck with me when I talked to the athletes about this project was how they want to feel as a team in the Village, to feel like they are one voice and one nation. It is paramount that our athletes have a psychological edge at the London 2012 Games." <a href=""> SEE THE BEST OLYMPIC FASHION CAMPAIGNS</a> Updated Thursday May 10, 9.58am: Italian label <a href="">Ermanno Scervino</a>, <a href="#/image/24"> currently fronted by Alice Dellal</a>, has designed the Olympic kit for the athletes of Azerbaijan Republic. The kit features the colours of symbols of the Azeri flag and will be worn by the team during the London 2012 Games, as well as off the field. "We are honoured to have been chosen by the Azerbaijan Republic, recognising our commitment to interpreting the Made-in-Italy craft tradition for a modern audience, combining creativity, research and sartorial tradition for innovative and contemporary solutions," a spokesperson for the brand said.

"Many Azeri sportsmen are remembered in sport history, a field that nowadays joins people together and speaks to young people beyond all boundaries." <p class="Default">Updated Thursday May 3,10.10am: <a href="">River Island</a> has joined forces with official sportswear partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games <a href="">Adidas</a> to create a Team GB collection, featuring sportswear for both men and women - all in patriotic red, white and blue colours. Expect cropped vests with metallic prints; hoodies with Union Jack motifs; and body-con dresses with lion detailing. The collection will land in stores and on the high-street chain's website on May 20. Prices start at £16 for vests. <a href=""> SEE THE OLYMPIC FASHION KITS</a> In other high-street fashion news, Adidas has also been working with the <a href="">British Fashion Council</a> as part of a student competition to design a sportswear collection that represents London during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The winner - Alexandra Gardner from Nottingham Trent University - will see her range go into Adidas stores on May 18. <a href=""> SEE VOGUE'S OLYMPIC TRIBUTE</a> Updated Tuesday May 1, 9.07am: Photographer <a href="">Rankin</a> has been enlisted by the London Olympic Organising Committee to mark the achievements of London 2012's international sports legacy programme, International Inspiration, in a special photography exhibition. <a href=""> SEE FASHION'S OLYMPIC AMBITIONS</a> The exhibition - entitled Inspired by Sport - opens tomorrow at the Museum of London and showcases athletes including Seb Coe, Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Louise Hazel and James Ellington, captured by Rankin. It also features pictures - taken by several international photographers - of young people around the world who have participated in the International inspiration programme. <a href=""> SEE RANKIN PHOTOGRAPHING MIRANDA KERR</a> <a href=""> </a>"I have seen first-hand the impact International Inspiration is having on young people lives," Olympic gold medallist and International Inspiration ambassador Denise Lewis - who was also captured by Rankin - said.

"When I visited India, I saw something truly special that is making a real and last difference to children of all abilities, social status and gender. Inspired by Sport celebrates a London 2012 legacy we can all be proud of." Updated Wednesday April 23, 2.03pm: The Olympic torch has scooped Design of the Year at the Design Museum's prestigious annual awards, beating off competition from the <a href="#/image/3"> royal wedding dress</a> created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and the <a href=""> Met's McQueen exhibition</a>. <a href=""> READ THE FULL STORY HERE</a> Updated Tuesday April 24, 11.05am: Opening Ceremony is set to open a 3,000 square-foot pop-up shop in Covent Garden's King Street at the end of July, prior to the <a href="">Olympics</a> kicking off. <a href="">Kenzo</a> and <a href="">Rodarte</a> will be amongst designers stocked at the retailer, as well as a forthcoming collaboration with <a href="">Topshop</a>.

Products specially developed in honour of the Games including <a href="">Proenza Schouler</a> and <a href="">Chloë Sevigny</a> will also be on sale. "Bringing Opening Ceremony to Covent Garden is an important next step in the growth of our company," Humberto Leon and Carol Lim - co-founders of Opening Ceremony - told WWD. "In the last 10 years since we first opened our doors on Howard Street in New York, Opening Ceremony has expanded to Los Angeles and Tokyo, but we have had our hearts set on London since the beginning. Covent Garden is an historic, global shopping destination and we're looking forward to what Opening Ceremony will add to its exciting future." <a href=""> READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE OPENING CEREMONY DUO</a> The pop-up will close at 31-32 King Street in autumn and be replaced by a larger store at 35 King Street.

<a href=""> SEE FASHION'S OLYMPIC AMBITIONS</a> Updated Monday April 2, 11.40am: <a href="">Prada</a> will sponsor the Italian national sailing team at the 2012 <a href="">Olympic</a> and Paralympic Games. The Italian label will supply the athlete's uniforms, as well as the uniforms for the team's technical staff, and its logo will appear on the hulls and sails of all competing boats and team support vessels. <a href=""> SEE STELLA'S TEAM GB KIT</a> This isn't the first time Prada has been involved with the sport, previously sponsoring four America's Cup campaigns, and several international competitions - and past experiences have equipped the brand with specific knowledge of racing apparel, after years of in-depth research into materials, manufacturing techniques and fittings. "Olympic classes are an irreplaceable step to allow a sailor's talent to bloom," Prada ceo <a href="">Patrizio Bertelli</a> said. "However, the high potential - in terms of communication as well - of Olympic sailing is too often neglected, or underestimated.

For a brand like Prada, which is so closely connected to the top level of this sport, it thus comes naturally to encourage and support those sailors who may play a key role in other challenges in the future." <a href=""> SEE THE LATEST PRADA SHOW</a> "We are extremely proud to have Prada as a sponsor," Carlo Croce, the president of the Italian Sailing Federation, said. "The Prada brand is not just a flagship of Italy worldwide, but it has always been very closely connected to our sport and has nearly become synonymous with major sailing challenges. Hence, this agreement reaches beyond a classic sponsorship arrangement, to become a full-fledged partnership. Patrizio Bertelli is an excellent sailor, very competent in all fields, and his advice will be extremely valuable for us." Updated Monday March 26, 9.16am: <a href=""> David Beckham</a> considers his role in helping London secure its 2012 <a href="">Olympic</a> bid one of his all-time personal highlights. The footballer-cum-designer was part of the team, led by Lord Sebastian Coe, who lobbied for the capital to host this summer's forthcoming games.

"I was humbled by it," he told US Vogue of Lord Coe's offer. "I get goosebumps even speaking about it. It was one of the most rewarding things I've done outside my career. It's exciting, especially for me, being an East Ender. Hopefully, I'll be available to be selected for the [football] team, because you can have three overage players." <a href=""> SEE DAVID BECKHAM'S STYLE IN PICTURES</a> Updated Friday March 23, 11.52am: <a href="">Giorgio Armani</a>, who is creating the kit for the Italian Olympic team, has launched a new campaign starring international Olympic athletes - featuring middle distance runner Emily Pidgeon and BMX cyclist Liam Phillips, both of whom are from the UK; French gymnast Hamilton Sabot; water polo player Matteo Aicardi; volleyball player Paola Croce; fencer Andrea Cassarà; high jumper Antonietta Di Martino; swimmer Luca Dotto and rhythmic gymnast Anzhelika Savrayuk - all from Italy. The group will front in the brand's sportswear label EA7.

<a href=""> SEE FASHION'S OLYMPIC DESIRES</a> Updated Friday March 23, 10.22am: Stella McCartney has responded to comments in today's press that the Union Jacks seen on her <a href=""> Team GB Olympic kit</a> don't feature enough of the flag's conventional red, white and blue colours. The designer instead opted for a solely blue variation. "I see many feel as strongly about the Union flag as I do!" she <a href="#!/search/stella%20mccartney" >Tweeted last night</a>. "The design actually uses more red & shows more flag than any Team GB kit since '84." <a href=""> SEE STELLA'S TEAM GB KIT HERE</a> McCartney told us yesterday that the decision not to use the flag's conventional colour combination came from a desire to make British Olympic athletes easily identifiable. "I was aware of the fact that it's something that might be overused in the build-up to the Olympics, in taxis, on cushions and mugs, so I wanted to do something different with it - but that was still respectful of its beauty," McCartney said.

"Actually, the colours of the Union Jack are similar to a lot of other flags and the athletes really wanted to feel identifiable as Team GB, so I just used different colours to say the same thing." SEE WHAT ELSE MCCARTNEY TOLD US BELOW Updated Thursday March 22, 1.15pm: <a href=""> Stella McCartney</a> unveiled her Adidas Team GB kit for the London 2012 Olympics this morning in a show at the Tower of London. "I felt quite emotional watching it," McCartney told us after the show. "I've been working on this for two years now. I felt so proud of the athletes more than anything and it really felt as if, 'woah, this is actually happening now'. It's really exciting and the whole thing is happening in our city!" <a href=""> SEE THE OLYMPIC KIT HERE</a> The collection was modelled by over 30 athletes - from basketball players and footballers to swimmers and Paralympic sprinters. McCartney - who was there in person to present the kit - took her inspiration from the Union Jack flag, which adorned each look.

Sequinned variations covered leotards, while printed versions came on T-shirts and jackets. It was patriotic, exciting, fantastically uplifting and made us very proud to call London our home. "I know I'm biased, but it really is one of the most iconic flags," said McCartney of the design. "Working on the kit was, a lot of the time, not about being a fashion designer - it was about creating something for the nation and the Union Jack seemed like the right place to start. I was also aware of the fact that it's something that might be overused in the build-up to the Olympics, in taxis, on cushions and mugs, so I wanted to do something different with it - but that was still respectful of its beauty. Actually, the colours of the Union Jack are similar to a lot of other flags and the athletes really wanted to feel identifiable as Team GB, so I just used different colours to say the same thing." <a href=""> SEE STELLA'S OLYMPIC AMBITION</a> For McCartney, who has collaborated with Adidas since 2004, working with the athletes was her favourite element of the project.

"Having the opportunity to work with these incredible human-beings was just amazing," she said. "And the challenges of some of the restrictions of creating this type of sportswear were really exciting too. For example, with gymnastics you're very much judged according to personal taste. The gymnasts would say to me, 'it would be better if the lines were straight - if I wobble, I don't want my clothes to look like I am.' So, I was mindful of things like that." <a href=""> SEE MCCARTNEY'S OLYMPIC COLLECTION</a> Unsurprisingly, the designer can't wait for the games to start. "It's hard to pick what sport I'd like to see the most," she said. "When you've worked so closely with each discipline, it makes it difficult. I'd really like to see the cyclists though - I spent a lot of time at the Velodrome in Manchester. But then, I'd love to see the Paralympics too. Whether it's on the television or in person, I'm excited about seeing all of it." Join Stella McCartney at the first ever Vogue Festival in April. Buy your tickets <a href="" >HERE</a>.

<a href=""> SEE STELLA MCCARTNEY'S STYLE, THEN AND NOW</a> Updated Thursday March 22, 10.02am: Edgy New York label Opening Ceremony is the latest label to embrace Olympic fever - by launching a new collection in collaboration with Adidas Originals. Although details of the range are not yet confirmed, the offering will be available in stores from July. <a href=""> READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE OPENING CEREMONY FOUNDERS</a> Updated Thursday March 15, 2.40pm: Team GB and Paralympics GB 2012 ambassador the <a href=""> Duchess of Cambridge</a> paid a private visit to the Olympic Park in Stratford this morning to meet the Team GB women's hockey squad. The young royal, who used to play hockey herself at school and was captain of her team at Marlborough College, even tried her hand at the game - wearing a pair of brightly-coloured cropped jeans and a Team GB zip-up jacket. "I was really looking forward to coming here but now I am here and have discovered I have to play, I am not feeling so confident," the Duchess told the hockey team, the Daily Mail reports.

"The last time I played was 2005, maybe. It feels like I haven't held a stick for 10 years. This is going to be so embarrassing. My brain thinks I can do all these wonderful things but my body just doesn't play ball. "The colour of the pitch is, well, eye-catching," she added referring to the arena's blue turf. "My trousers really clash." <a href=""> SEE THE DUCHESS' LATEST LOOKS</a> Updated Tuesday March 13, 11.51am: <a href=""> Samantha Cameron</a> and <a href=""> Michelle Obama</a> are teaming up to celebrate the London 2012 <a href="">Olympics</a> this week, as part of Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to the White House. Today, the First Ladies will attend an Olympic-themed event at American University in Washington - along with a number of school children from the local area and a host of Olympians and Paralympians, WWD reports.

The pair will also talk to students from Elizabeth Seton High School in Maryland, and National Cathedral School in Washington, and from London school Elizabeth Garrett Anderson - an institute that Obama visited in 2009, during a trip to the capital. <a href=""> SEE MICHELLE OBAMA'S STYLE FILE</a> <a href=""> SEE CAMERON'S FASHION EVOLUTION</a> Updated Monday March 5, 12.35pm: Adidas 2012 Olympic Team creative director <a href="">Stella McCartney</a> says that there is more to her Olympic design job than you might think. "Actually there is this other side to the <a href="">Olympics</a>, when these guys are trapped in a village for two weeks and cannot leave campus, and it is really interesting, the psychology of that, and how they want to be seen by their peers," she told Sunday Times Style. The British designer believes her role has catapulted her into "a different league", but her priority is still clear: "My main concern is to do my country proud," she said.

<a href=""> SEE MCCARTNEY'S STYLE EVOLUTION</a> Updated Wednesday February 29, 11.54am: The <a href="">British Fashion Council</a> has finally offered details of its Britain Creates: Fashion & Art Collusion project, an initiative that will merge the fashion and art worlds. Designers including <a href="">Matthew Williamson</a>, <a href="">Giles Deacon</a> and <a href="">Paul Smith</a> will work with illustrious artists, featuring Mat Collishaw, Charming Baker and Gavin Turk, to make one-off works of art, to be showcased at a V&A exhibition from July 6 until 29. <a href=""> READ THE FULL STORY HERE</a> Updated Thursday February 23, 10.34am: Marks & Spencer is embracing Olympic fever by teaming up with Adidas to create a capsule collection of Team GB-branded women's sportswear. The eight-piece monochrome line will feature zip-through jackets, T-shirts, sleeveless tops, leggings and jogging bottoms - all bearing the event's official logo. The range is available to buy now.

<a href=""> SEE MCCARTNEY'S TEAM GB COLLECTION</a> Updated Monday February 13, 10.18am: In line with New York Fashion Week, Ralph Lauren has unveiled Team USA's Olympic Village collection - including an additional uniform to be worn at the opening and closing ceremonies. As well as the designer's renowned pony emblem, the sportswear features a retro logo used for London's 1948 Games and the number 12 on the sleeve. American Olympians and Paralympians including swimmer Ryan Lochte have been chosen to front the range. "We are giving people something that's commemorative, something they can hold on to that's a piece history," David Lauren told the Telegraph. "It's a privilege to play a part in the London 2012 Olympics, and to celebrate the achievements of these athletes with the rest of the world." Britain and Italy are set to reveal their own Olympic uniform in the next few weeks - designed by <a href="">Stella McCartney</a>and Giorgio Armani respectively - as well as Jamaica, who's Puma kit has been designed by Bob Marley's daughter, <a href="">Cedella Marley</a>.

"We're going to burn up the tracks," said Marley. "I think we're going to stand out a little bit more in 2012." <a href=""> READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH MARLEY</a> Updated Thursday February 9, 10.02am: <a href="">Stella McCartney</a> has once again opened up about how it feels to be designing the Adidas 2012 Olympic Team GB kit. "The Olympics had taken up a lot of time but it's an incredible project, it's amazing," she said in a talk with Alexandra Shulman last night. "I am so proud to do it - it almost makes me a little emotional!" <a href=""> READ WHAT ELSE STELLA TOLD US</a> McCartney first teamed up with Adidas when she used one of the label's trainers in her first ready-to-wear collection. The brand then contacted her about creating a range for their Originals line, but McCartney asked to work on the performance range instead - believing that was more of a challenge and less established. She added that women's sportswear was always a category largely overlooked by the fashion industry. "I always felt it was an afterthought," she said.

"It was always the men that got the really cool stuff in the really good colours - we always had the My Little Pony colours. It never looked that impressive and I always got a bit embarrassed if I got caught on the way to the gym. I wanted to challenge that. I got really excited about educating women with what they could work out in. I don't think you should sacrifice style for sport." The Olympics aside, McCartney believes sportswear is an integral part of her label's aesthetic. "The reason I do sportswear is because I love it - it's part of my design ethos, so I do always touch on sportswear in my collections, I tend to do feminine, masculine and sportswear. I love the edge that it gives a collection - it takes it down if things get too fancy on a Parisian runway. Sometimes you just need to cut them and slice them with a great neoprene or a bold colour.

So for me, sportswear is a great way of bringing down a collection if things get too fancy." <a href=""> SEE MCCARTNEY'S STYLE EVOLUTION</a> Updated Monday January 31, 8.35am: <a href="">Selfridges</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> is getting in on the Olympics excitement by launching a collection of very fashionable survival kits, created by the industry's leading names including <a href="">Paul Smith</a>, <a href="">Phillip Lim</a>, <a href="">Vivienne Westwood</a> and <a href="">Anya Hindmarch</a>. Each label will gather together their picks of must-have items to see shoppers through this sporting summer - expect Wallpaper City Guides, CDs, books and trainers. The limited edition range will launch in June 21.

<a href=""> SEE SELFRIDGES' JUBILEE PLANS</a> Updated Friday January 20, 3.47pm: A "fashion hub", an "innovation city" and a sports-based retail, events and leisure space are among the shortlisted ideas to move into the expansive Olympic space once the 2012 Games have ended. The Olympic Park Legacy Company has narrowed down the trio from a long list of 10, which were chosen from 45 initial proposals. Although plans are still vague, it is speculated that the "fashion hub" would replace the broadcast and press centre space, offering offices, manufacturing and creative uses, a fashion college, as well as an etail and media centre. "The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is already generating a huge amount of commercial interest and the calibre of our shortlist is testament to that," said OPLC chief executive Stuart Altman.

"We have three dynamic bids focused on the creation of thousands of jobs and training opportunities, along with links to Tech City." <a href=""> SEE FASHION'S OLYMPIC DESIRES</a> Updated Tuesday January 17, 2.17pm: <a href="">Dunhill</a> is the latest label to hire Olympians to front its latest campaign, recruiting the help of retired rower and four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent, double gold medal-winning Olympic sailor Iain Percy and two-time European silver medallist and Commonwealth Games Champion gymnast Louis Smith. The trio feature in the British brand's Voice adverts, shot by David Sims, with each image bearing their individual tips on how to make it as an athlete. <a href=""> SEE HOW TO CELEBRATE BRITAIN'S BIG YEAR</a> Updated Wednesday January 11, 12.28pm: The Olympic torch, created by Barbara Osgerby, has been nominated for the Design of the Year Award - with competition from Sarah Burton's McQueen royal wedding dress and a wind-propelled landmine detonator, to name just a few.

The Design Museum's annual awards cover a number of categories, including fashion, architecture, furniture and transport. The final winner will be announced on April 24. <a href=""> READ THE FULL STORY HERE</a> Updated Tuesday January 10, 11.41am: <a href="">Stella McCartney</a> says her role as creative director of the Adidas 2012 Olympic Team GB range has challenged her as a designer in more ways than one. <a href=""> READ MORE ABOUT HER ROLE HERE</a> "I love the opportunity to stretch that side of design," she told Christa D'Souza in the <a href=""> February issue of Vogue</a>. "I love that you can have the language between two worlds of technology and fashion, because I don't think many designers get to do that. "And do you know what's quite funny?" she added, "Doing the fittings for men. Quite out of my comfort zone. I'm like 'Oooh, where do I look?

What do I do now?'" <a href=""> READ WHAT ELSE STELLA TOLD US HERE</a> <a href=""> SEE THE BEST OLYMPIC FASHION BUYS</a> Updated Thursday January 5, 9.18am: <a href="">Paul Smith</a> is joining the Olympic action by launching a range of stamps for the Isle of Man post office, inspired by his good friend; Olympic cyclist, and Isle of Man native, Mark Cavendish. <a href=""> READ THE FULL STORY HERE</a> Updated Tuesday January 3, 10.01am: As 2012 gets underway, not even the beauty industry is immune to Olympic excitement - with a host of the Games' athletes being named as beauty ambassadors. Olympic and World Champion track cyclist Victoria Pendleton will front Pantene Pro-V's Smooth & Sleek range, heptathlete Jessica Ennis will represent Olay Essentials and swimmer Kerri-Anne Payne will be the face of Max Factor False Lash Effect Gold Mascara.

<a href=""> SEE WHAT THE ATHELETES SAID ON THEIR NEW ROLES</a> Updated Wednesday September 21, 11.41am: British Fashion Council chairman <a href="">Harold Tillman</a> has outlined the fashion industry's plans for the 2012 Olympic Games, starting with a new initiative entitled Britain Creates - which will see designers and artists team up to create a new exhibition, opening next June. <a href=""> READ MORE ABOUT THE INITIATIVE HERE</a> Updated Thursday June 30, 10.15am: Links of London has been named the official jewellers of next year's Olympic Games. Athletes will wear jewellery by the brand as they compete, and fans can celebrate the event by sporting the label's dedicated commemorative pieces. <a href=""> SEE THE COLLECTION IN FULL HERE</a> Updated Thursday June 30, 10.32am: Links of London's new Olympic ambassador cyclist <a href="">Sarah Storey</a> has shared her account of shooting for the <a href=""> July issue of Vogue</a>.

<a href=""> READ OUR INTERVIEW HERE</a> <a href=""> GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT JESSICA ENNIS' VOGUE SHOOT</a> ADVERTISEMENT Updated Wednesday March 16, 10.56am: The excitement has begun for the 2012 Olympic Games, as <a href="">Zandra Rhodes</a> gets set to design the costume for a 33-foot Lady Godiva puppet - being built in celebration of next summer's event. The model will be unveiled in July next year. <a href=""> SEE RHODES' GODIVA SKETCH HERE</a> YOU SHOULD SEE: <a href=""> Who would play what in the fashion Olympics...</a> YOU SHOULD SEE: <a href=""> Stella McCartney's Team GB Olympic kit...</a> arrowup Stella McCartney's Olympic Uniforms for Team GB Revealed, Are Criticized for Being 'Too Blue' - Fashionista Style Stella McCartney's Olympic Uniforms for Team GB Revealed, Are Criticized for Being 'Too Blue' Today Adidas revealed the Stella McCartney-designed Olympic kits for Team GB at the Tower of London.

McCartney has been designing stylish athletic we Avatar: Social count: 111 Today Adidas revealed the Stella McCartney-designed Olympic kits for Team GB at the Tower of London. McCartney has been designing stylish athletic we 111 SHARES Today Adidas revealed the This dismantling of the flag is what has caused some backlash in the UK. For the design, McCartney took the red out of the traditional Union Jack flag and added turquoise. The red element of the flag was added as an accent on collars and shoes. According to the BBC, the athletes loved the kit and "not one person has complained about it." But citizens took to Twitter to complain that the flag design was "too blue" and looked more Scottish. Commenters have come out in force on Tags Furor Over Chinese-Made Ralph Lauren-Designed US Olympic Uniforms Reaches Boiling Point as Senator Harry Reid Calls for Uniforms To Be 'Burned' In this contentious election year, Democrats and Republicans have found an issue to bond over in shared outrage: the Ralph Lauren Olympic athlete uniforms. When the Opening Ceremony outfits were revealed earlier this week, the commentary was limited to the aesthetics (those berets proved to be highly divisive) but now it's become a little darker.

Turns out the entire uniform was manufactured in China, and Americans--from designers to Congress--are chafing. Exclusive: Dov Charney Offered American Apparel's Factory to Ralph Lauren to Help Produce 'Made in the USA' Uniforms for the Olympics Looks like American Apparel may be designing the uniforms for some proud red, white, and blue-wearing Olympians...who aren't American. In a conversation about clothing manufacturing and national pride that has come to a head today because of the Ralph Lauren "Made in China" US Olympic uniform controversy, Dov Charney has now thrown his voice into the melee. The New York Post is reporting that American Apparel is apparently in talks to design Russia's Olympic uniforms. Russia and AA have reportedly been talking since 2011 about the US-based retailer manufacturing Russia's 2014 winter Olympics uniforms. And why is this happening, you ask? Charney told the paper, “[Russian Olympic team representatives] said they didn’t want anything that was made in China.” Charney told the Post that the line for Russia would include both uniforms and merchandise. We reached out to American Apparel for more information, and a rep confirmed that they were still in talks at this time.

But it turns out that Charney wants to help with America's uniforms, too. Fashion News Roundup: 'Toe-besity' Is Apparently a Thing, Underage Kate Upton Maybe Drank Some Beer, and the US Olympic Team Uniforms Are Made in China Apparently people are now getting plastic surgery for fat toes. That seems toe-tally messed up. {HuffPo} Are style blogs the new magazines? Discuss. {Racked} New York City is a pretty fashionable place, so check out the girls who beat out the rest for a spot in Vashtie Kola's roundup 50 Most Stylish Women in New York. {Complex} When people say "everything is made in China these days," they aren't kidding. This includes the newest US Olympic uniforms. {HuffPo} Did Stella McCartney disadvantage Team GB by not including more red in their Olympic outfits? | TIME.com Follow @TIME Did the designer Stella McCartney hurt Team GB by not including more red in the Olympic outfits? Both a sports psychologist and an academic who have researched the impact of uniform color on athletic performance think that the host nation may have put itself at a disadvantage by not having enough red.

“Obviously she has designed these from a fashion point of view and was not taking into account the possible effects that might have on performance,” Professor Robert Barton told the Guardian about the contentious uniforms (they’re mainly blue and white, apart from a mostly red trim around the collar). “Given there’s an obvious justification for [including more red] and given the effects that we and other scientists have found, it does seem like a mistake.” Barton co-authored a 2005 report that linked the color red to an athlete’s chance of success. Indeed, while this initial study was based on combat sports at the 2004 Athens Games, further research has shown that the trend holds up across a range of different disciplines. Using British football as a reference (and as we all know, statistics can be used to show whatever point the writer wishes to make), just look at Manchester United (nicknamed the Red Devils), who have dominated the Premier League since its inception in 1992. And before Man U. began their era of supremacy, local rivals Liverpool (who also wear red) were the undisputed kings of the game.

And if we want to go back even further, the British national team enjoyed its crowning achievement – beating West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final – while wearing, you guessed it, red. The West Germans preferred white, and paid the price. (LIST: Top 10 World Cup Games ) In golf, we know Tiger Woods always wears red on the final day of a tournament. According to Tiger, it’s because his mother thought it was his power color (“and you know you should always listen to your mom”). Or as Golf Magazine once noted, “There’s more to red than that. As the color of fire and blood, red is associated with energy, war, strength and power.” Previous British Olympic uniforms featured more red (along with the other colors found in the Union flag, white and blue), and the color seemed to help in Beijing four years ago, when Great Britain finished in a surprising fourth place in the medals table. The clinical sports psychologist Dr. Victor Thompson thinks Britain has bungled an opportunity. “When sport means so much and the outcome is often decided in millimeters or thousandths of a second, we should be doing all we can to help our athletes achieve,” he told the Guardian.

“I think that the GB Olympic designers may have missed an opportunity here to include more red in the design. This may have helped give the GB wearers a boost psychologically that would be reflected in physical performance – for instance, if the red increased confidence, [positive] aggression and sense that they are dominant, then they are likely to perform closer to their peak performance potential … While these effects are likely to be small, when it comes to the Olympics, the margins between gold and silver, medal and non-medal, are small.” As for McCartney, she’s not concerned with such talk of “aggression” or “peak performance potential” but rather in a contemporary take on the union flag. “Something that was very important to me was to try and use that very iconic image but to dismantle it and try to soften it, break it down and make it more fashionable in a sense,” she said at the launch at the Tower of London (and if you were looking for an ominous omen, it was surely the choice of location). “I’m really aware the reds, whites and blues are in other nations’ flags and sometimes you can feel quite confused when you are watching the Games … is that American, is that French?

It’s very recognizable still, I’ve represented all the parts of Great Britain. There’s a lot of red in there, but in a non-traditional way.” But if the host nation underachieves at the medals table, Ms. McCartney, the whole U.K. will be seeing red. London 2012: Team GB kit praised by Olympic & Paralympic athletes - BBC Sport BBC Sport London 2012: Team GB kit praised by Olympic & Paralympic athletes 22 Mar 2012 Media playback is not supported on this device Team GB Olympic kit launch Team GB athletes have praised the design of their kit for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Britain's sportsmen and women will step out in an indigo kit, inspired by the union flag, with red shoes, when they compete at the Games. Leading designer Stella McCartney, who collaborated with manufacturers adidas, said it combined style with performance. BMX cyclist Shanaze Reade was among the first to praise the kit. "Today is the first time we got the kit and it is fabulous in every single sport and we all love it," she told BBC Sport.

"Instead of having generic sport kit that looks the same as everybody else, we wanted something that stood out, is performance-enhancing and has us being a part of it. "Stella McCartney sat down with us and asked us what we wanted and we achieved that." Analysis "I like it. It's funky. You don't expect plain white T-shirts if you employ Stella McCartney. It's the Union flag in reversal with pastel shades of blues going into sapphire. Athletes competing will be very visible to the crowd, which is good. People in the crowd may be sat a long way away from the action and they will see the Brits coming in this gear." The kit, which features only a hint of red around the collar of most of the designs, contains more blue than previous designs. Reade added: "It is very blue and that is nice and subtle but, at the same time, it does what it needs to do. "You can often blend in with French wearing red, white and blue but this is completely on its own and makes us feel very British.

"As females it is all about what it looks like and if you feel good it makes us perform even better." Five-time Paralympic swimming and cycling gold medallist Jody Cundy also backed the kit, saying he "couldn't wait to wear it proudly this summer". Of Thursday's launch event he said: "My legs were kind of shaking when I was standing on the stage, with the nerves of it all, but it was a fantastic experience and the kit looks amazing, especially when you see everybody together in it." 110m hurdler Will Sharman said he liked the functional element of the kit, to help athletes reach their potential this summer. "It needs to be lightweight, which it is," he said. "It needs to be aerodynamic and it is. "There is no flapping about so, from a performance perspective, it's exactly what we were looking for. "The colours are different but it's definitely British. I get excited putting it on. It has the Olympic rings on and that gives you pride." Former badminton silver medallist Gail Emms is also a fan.

Media playback is not supported on this device Stella McCartney: "It is like nothing I have ever worked on before" "I love the fact the Union flag is so prominent," she told the BBC. "The eyes of the world will be on Team GB. "The athletes should be proud of the fact that they represent the nation. Everyone can see it. We will stand out." Double Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds said she "cannot wait to be wearing it at the Games". "I think we are all going to be looking great in London." Triathlon world champion Alistair Brownlee said: "The tri suit is a fantastic piece of kit. "It's notoriously difficult to get it right, because it has to be not too baggy for the swim, but tighter for the cycle and the run. "The games are getting closer and closer and, standing in London wearing the kit, it's definitely creeping up on us now." Many other athletes took to Twitter to give their thoughts on the new threads. Sprinter Jeanette Kwakye was all in favour: "What do you think of the kit?

Goldie Sayers, Jess Ennis and I are loving it!" However, cyclist Bradley Wiggins seemed less enamoured: "Oh dear, The Olympic kit!!" Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton put the debate into perspective by adding: "I don't care what the kit looks like as long as I get the chance to actually compete in it!" Share this page Stella McCartney Will Design UK Uniforms for 2012 Olympics : TreeHugger Stella McCartney Will Design UK Uniforms for 2012 Olympics Image from the StyleList : Team GB in 2008 Stella McCartney, surely the world's most famous eco-friendly clothing designer, has been chosen to design Team Britain's Olympic and Paralympic outfits for the 2012 Games. It's a huge honour for any designer, as the teams sport the outfits in the sensational opening ceremonies and then continue to wear them throughout the events. At the recent World Cup, many teams wore tee-shirts made out of recycled plastic bottles , but there is no word yet as to Stella's view on that material. She has been designing for Adidas for years, and they have put out some hemp and bamboo clothing and shoes so maybe there is hope....

Image from the Mirror It is the first time in the UK that such a high profile celebrity designer has been chosen to work at an Olympic level. She is very chuffed about the job, as she said: ""As a British fashion designer, it is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be creative director of Team GB as the hosting nation of the London 2012 Olympic Games." It's not an easy gig. The outfits have to be technically perfect, to mould to the individual athlete's body and reflect the needs of their particular sport. As she noted : "The challenges are certainly there. I mean you're working with athletes. The main thing I want do is not in any way get involved with making their performance not its best. So for me I want to make them the best they can be. And in order to do that I'm obviously working with incredibly technical fabrics, I'm dealing with silhouettes that I wouldn't normally perhaps work with." They also have to be great looking because the eyes of the world will be watching them. She will also be designing the casual clothes that they wear around the Olympic Village. And then there is all the stuff for the fans; from sweaters to hats to tee-shirts.

How will she ever match the ubiquitous-and iconic-red mittens of the Vancouver Olympics? More on Stella and the Olympics Stella McCartney on her Team GB London Olympic 2012 kit design - Fashion Videos - Telegraph Latest Beauty News Stella McCartney on her Team GB London Olympic 2012 kit design Designer Stella McCartney has unveiled her designs for Britain's Olympic athletes with uniforms that make imaginative use of the familiar Union flag. 22 March 2012 315 TelegraphPlayer_TMG9160693 The first showing of the designs took place Thursday at a gala event at the Tower of London that combined fashion's razzle-dazzle with the star quality of top Olympic competitors. McCartney said she hoped the athletes and the nation like the uniforms and are proud of the athletes who will wear them at the Olympics and Paralympic Games. British athletes who modeled the new gear included heptathlete Jessica Ennis, rowing champion Pete Reed and double Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds. McCartney is adidas' creative director for the Olympic gear.

Related Video Stella McCartney to design UK Olympic uniforms 2016 - Design - Fashion-news Stella McCartney to design UK Olympic uniforms 2016 Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Stella McCartney has again been chosen to design Great Britain's official team uniform and kit for the Olympic Games to be held in Brazil in 2016. According to sources the kit would reflect a lot of patriotism, just like the previous designs for the London 2012 kit. McCartney's first Olympic kit was two years in the making, with the design focussed on the Union flag, broken down and reconstructed with a modern and contemporary twist. In 2012, Adidas was the official sportswear provider for Teams GB and Paralympics GB. Stella McCartney is the creative director of the Adidas Olympic project. Advertisement Great Britain is unhappy with their new Olympic uniforms (Pictures) | Larry Brown Sports Great Britain is unhappy with their new Olympic uniforms (Pictures) March 23, 2012 0 0 The job of designing Olympic uniforms comes with a ton of pressure. For Stella McCartney, the daughter of the Beatles’ Paul McCartney, the task was especially daunting.

Stella is a well-known clothing designer in Great Britain, and her uniform designs for the Summer Olympics in London were released on Thursday. Overall, the kits were not well-received. McCartney said part of her strategy was to include the colors of the British flag, but many believe she failed to include enough red. “Massive fail!!!!” one Facebook commenter wrote according to the Daily Mail . “These are not our national colours!!!! Did someone not get the memo.” “Oh dear! Stella, Stella – did you not think of asking ANYONE on a UK street if they thought it was reasonable for you to take the red off our Union Jack?” another agreed. Stella insists that she feels very strongly about the British flag and that these uniforms contain more red than any Team Great Britain kit since 1984. Perhaps the general public was expecting perfection since they are hosting the games. On a separate note, many believe McCartney missed a huge opportunity with the design because research has shown that having red in uniforms can give a team a competitive advantage. “I think that the GB Olympic designers may have missed an opportunity here to include more red in the design,” clinical sports psychologist Victor Thompson told the Guardian .

“This may have helped give the GB wearers a boost psychologically that would be reflected in physical performance – for instance, if the red increased confidence, (positive) aggression and sense that they are dominant, then they are likely to perform closer to their peak performance potential. “In addition, there may be negative effects on opponents, facing our athletes wearing significant amounts of red, where they assume a less confident and more submissive position in the sporting contests. While these effects are likely to be small, when it comes to the Olympics, the margins between gold and silver, medal and non-medal, are small.” Whether the uniforms can actually make a competitive difference or not, I’d hate to be Stella McCartney if the British struggle this summer. GREAT BRITAIN OLYMPIC UNIFORMS 2012 Filed Under:

Question: Who designed the 2012 GB Olympics team uniforms
Answer: Stella McCartney