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They’ve been told they look like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said they needed more “swag”.
One thing is certain: Team South Africa was in need of a fierce fashion overhaul for the Olympic Games in Rio.
To help the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) realise just how terrible our athletes looked during the Olympics opening ceremony and medal presentations – and to give them a little inspiration – City Press asked three South African designers to come up with a look that is not a national embarrassment.
Gert-Johan Coetzee – the go-to designer for celebrities such as Bonang Matheba, and who dressed Public Protector Thuli Madonsela for the opening of Parliament this year – created a sleek and stylish silhouette.
“For a major event like the Olympics, it’s an opportunity for South Africa to showcase the best of the best. That is why, throughout the world, countries have their top designers design their team’s tracksuits,” Coetzee said.
“I would like to have seen more thought go into the South African team’s uniform. It’s unfortunate that this opportunity was wasted. I truly believe that we have the talent and the capability to produce world-class fashion.”
Craig Native, a designer with extensive experience in sportswear, came up with a more traditional sporty look.
His “Unity” tracksuits are grey, a “colour inspired by a mix of black and white”, which speaks to the racial diversity of the country and its athletes. The design also includes a “traditional Ndebele-inspired graphic detail showing South African culture”, and a “flag-inspired artwork for the chest”, he said.
Native also specified the use of wicking – a fabric associated with sportswear – which would make his designs breathable, and remove sweat and moisture, especially in a hot climate like that of Brazil.
Young menswear designer Nao Serati, who provided City Press with two opening-ceremony options, said he was shocked when he saw the team’s yellow-and-green tracksuits.
“I was so embarrassed for them! I saw other teams looking so good. There were so many collaborations with international designers, and the other athletes really looked great,” he said.
Serati said he thinks sports administrators forgot that athletes were young people.
“Young sportspeople want to wear clothes that show off their bodies, youth and strength. They also have their personal brands to consider.”
In his more formal opening-ceremony outfit, Serati included a wrap dress for women because, from lanky swimmers to javelin throwers, “anyone can look good in a wrap dress”.
He included a bomber jacket for the men for the same reason.
“These people are my age and represent the whole of South Africa,” he said.
What do you think of the South African Olympic team’s current tracksuits?
SMS us on 35697 using the keyword TRACKSUIT and tell us what you think. Please include your name and province. SMSes cost R1.50
