When it comes to style, India's team uniform for the ceremonies at the Olympics always falls short. With two months left for Rio, Indian designers imagine their dream outfits
Wrestler Sushil Kumar leads the Indian delegation at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Who can forget the gatecrasher in the red jacket and turquoise pants
India on my heart
I wanted to create sportswear inspired by the colours of the nation, outfits that would make you think of India. Instead of bright green and orange, I have opted for subtle shades of the colours that are easy on the eye. When put together, they don’t look garish but classy and elegant, with a touch of tradition.
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When international designers think of Indian menswear, the Nehru jacket and the Indian maharajas comes to mind. So, for men, I have picked a bandhgala in ivory, with the colours of the Tricolour across the chest, paired with Jodhpurs that are sporty and comfortable.
The second option is a fitted short jacket in a light shade with green piping on the sleeves and on the ankle. For women, it’s a sari in crepe or chiffon, again in subtle version of the colours of our flag with an achkan-style blouse and an orange bindi. All women can wear either sleek ponytails or buns to look uniform and stylish. The Tricolour or the logo will be on the left hand side of the chest, where our heart is.
— Pria Kataaria Puri
The blue brigade
The Shivan & Narresh Indian Olympic uniform draws strong colour inspiration from the rich blues of the city of Jodhpur. We propose a formal Indian and Western aesthetic for men and women athletes representing the country at the prestigious platform.
Wrestler Sushil Kumar leads the Indian delegation at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Who can forget the gatecrasher in the red jacket and turquoise pants. Pic/AFP
The women’s wear blends a colour-blocked sari featuring saffron and emerald trail and a print with flying Ashoka Chakras — a motif designed to symbolise a spirited, young nation flying with ambition, dreams and determination.
Shivan and Narresh
The western look features a modern classic, fitted dress in the same print in Bhagalpur silk.
For men, the formal Indian silhouette looks at a short fine Khadi bandhgala suit in rich Jodhpur blue while the western silhouette features a sharp suit in the same colour and fabric, paired with a crisp white shirt and silk tie featuring motifs of the flying Ashoka Chakra.
— Shivan and Narresh
Go dressy
We have designed a look that is fun yet wearable for India’s women athletes at the Rio Olympics. It is a feminine slit dress, which is created keeping the Tricolour in mind.
The patriotic colours have been aesthetically used on this contemporary uniform. The royal blue colour on the Ashoka Chakra has been used on this dress with a fitted tri-colour belt.
It’s paired with blue shorts for the athletes’ comfort and is further styled with a grey jersey jacket with quilted sleeves.
— Monica Shah of Jade