Saint-Denis: An army of artisans race to make thousands of clothes for the Paris Olympics, which each designer says will be the perfect combination of history, sports and celebrity.
During a recent AFP visit to the workshop in Seine-Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of the French capital, it was made by about 20 fashion designers and millwrights.
This is just one of about 20 workshops around France that echo with the sound of sewing machines and plastered with advertisements a month before the next outdoor game.
Clothes are hung on racks, but covered with a tarp to prevent surprises.
“We created the biggest party in the world,” said Daphne Burkey, 44, the Games’ costume director, who worked under John Galliano at Dior.
About 15 designers are involved in the preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, overseeing about 500 artists working in the opening and closing ceremonies.
On July 26, there will be about 200 customers and about 300 hair and makeup artists for the first event along the seven kilometers of the Seine River and its bridges.
In an age of concern about clothing waste and pollution, there is a growing focus on using vintage and second-hand clothing, said Burki.
“You will see 3,000 unique silhouettes,” he says, adding that no two outfits will be the same. “Every outfit tells a story.”
One of the few outfits shown in AFK combined a medieval double-breasted jacket with neoprene and a long cotton-trimmed suit – Olivier Beriot’s replacement for the burkini.
In the workshop, Roberta Oakey, 59, a former costume designer for the Paris Opera, worked on the fabric for the dancers’ costumes, which had to ensure “maximum movement”.
Another fashion designer, Corinne Page, tried to “save more” in other clothes.
With more than 30 years of experience in theater and opera, he has been used to complex work that often requires making, remaking and refitting costumes.
“But we like it!” he said.
The team is “only seeing one side of the lens” of the show, but it’s going to be amazing.
The 500-plus artisans working on Olympics costumes
