A glimpse of Simone Biles and Team USA’s Paris Leotard

When Simone Biles raises her arms to salute the Olympic judges in Paris this summer, she will be wearing about 10,000 hand-placed crystals weighing almost a pound each.

Gymnastics leotards are expected to reflect poise and grace, withstand triple-twisting double flips and stand out in front of the bright spotlight of the Olympic Games.

Like the intense training process that takes place before the Games, creating a show-stopping Olympic leotard is a rigorous and all-consuming undertaking.

Gene Diaz, design director of GK Elite, the official leotard manufacturer for the U.S. Olympic team, began working on the Paris Olympics leotard more than two years ago.

It all started with gathering feedback from the gymnasts involved in the controversy.

Diaz said, “They told us by an overwhelming majority, unanimously, that for the Olympics, they want to wear red, white and blue. … The more crystals, the better.” The design team then created mood boards focused on three thematic threads: American femininity, gorgeous femininity and chic shimmer and shine.

Each theme was based on stylistic imagery, including 80s fashion, the stars of the American flag, and Parisian haute couture.

Diaz described the design process as a “high-fashion take on a sportier approach to leotards than is typically based on American iconography.” “We really connected the designs to Paris as the host city,” Diaz said. “Paris is known as the fashion capital of the world, and we know all eyes are on Team USA, so we made sure we not only had fashion cohesion, but also that the entire collection had an unmistakable look.” Was on Team USA.”

The most patriotic leotard in the collection is usually reserved for the team finals, in which the U.S. women hope to compete for gold on July 30.

The Go for Glory design, which the U.S. women are expected to wear at the team finals in Paris, is intended to capture “that radiant moment when an athlete, wrapped in the flag, becomes a symbol of victory.”

The leotard is decorated with 9,929 carefully placed crystals cut into diamond shapes, weighing approximately one pound each. Adding the beads is the most time-consuming step of manufacturing, and must be done with precision to ensure that the crystals do not come loose while the gymnasts compete.

The team final design pays homage to the iconic leotard “Magnificent Seven” that was worn at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. They were the first US women’s gymnastics team to win Olympic gold.

“Coming into competition with that power behind you is really what we wanted the athletes to feel,” Diaz said.

Another Olympic design, the USA Elegance Competition Leotard, synthesizes “gymnastic flair and the elegance of French couture”. It features over 5,000 crystals, including a patriotic red and navy ombre as well as shaped diamonds and crystal flames that evoke “competitive fire.” Of athletes.

The corseting detail and zigzag trim are a deliberate fusion of Parisian fashion and artistry and athleticism. Each long sleeve competition leotard is accompanied by a short sleeve replica for training sessions.

The Sovereign Sparkle design is reminiscent of Independence Day fireworks as well as simulates Paris and the Eiffel Tower at twilight.

“Paris is a city of light,” Diaz said, “so we took a tonal approach to those designs and gave inspiration to matte and shine contrasts and a play on light with tonal elements.” The American anthem leotard was inspired by the art nouveau movement, which highlights sinuous lines and dynamic depictions. The purpose of the leotard is to direct the eyes upward towards the face, thereby increasing the performance quality of gymnasts performing floor exercises.

The Luminous Legacy Leotard also synthesizes high fashion and American heroism. Its color palette simulates the night sky and includes a cluster of more than 10,000 Swarovski crystals. The bodice features a star-spangled banner pattern and a row of crystals forming abstract stripes along the sleeves.

Seeing gymnasts step onto the Olympic stage and wear the culmination of years of hard work “never gets old,” Diaz said. “It’s all made in the United States, and we’re seeing these amazing athletes performing in apparel just like ours.” We have spent countless hours expressing our passion,” she said. “I can’t put into words how proud we all are.”

Stream every moment and every medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Peacock, starting with the Opening Ceremony on July 26 at 12pm ET.