By Ayanda Ntuli
‘Golden Voyager’ in costume by Kevin Germanier Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
After two and a half weeks of intense competition, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games concluded in a spectacular closing ceremony on Sunday evening at the Stade de France. This event not only marked the end of the world's biggest sporting celebration but also stood out as a showcase of high fashion. LVMH, as a creative partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, played a pivotal role in this, featuring iconic designs from brands like Dior, Ralph Lauren, and Louis Vuitton. The evening was a testament to how the worlds of sport and style effortlessly merge, turning the ceremony into a runway for the event’s performers. This article will spotlight the fashion designers behind the striking outfits worn by the performers.
French singer Zaho de Sagazan opened the closing ceremony with a performance of Edith Piaf's “Sous le Ciel de Paris” in the Tuileries Garden. Her complete Louis Vuitton ensemble featured a sleek black bodysuit, a dual-toned silk skirt and black leather jazz derby shoes.
French singer Zaho de Sagazan opened the Olympics closing ceremony in Louis Vuitton. Credit: Getty Images
Swiss fashion designer Kevin Germanier, famous for his sustainable and inventive take on fashion, styled over 120 dancers, including the standout ‘Golden Voyager’ who wore a gold jumpsuit embellished with sequins and 20,000 pearls. Collaborating with artistic director Thomas Jolly and costume director Daphné Bürki, Germanier embraced the Golden Record theme of the closing Ceremony’s unique performance, while aiming to bring his unique vision of a science fiction tale to life. Known for his upcycling approach, Germanier turns recycled materials into high-fashion creations.
‘Golden Voyager’ in costume by Kevin Germanier. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Additionally, Pianist Alain Roche dangled in mid-air as he played the piano vertically. He wore a striking costume also designed by Kevin Germanier, crafted from over 160 recycled VHS tapes featuring Germanier’s childhood films. Germanier also styled Opera singer Benjamin Bernheim ensuring his unique touch was visible throughout the ceremony.
Pianist Alain Roche in costume by Kevin Germanier. Credit: @France24_en
H.E.R. serenaded the audience in an all-white Ralph Lauren pantsuit and dazzled with jewels from Chopard at the Stade de France. She performed the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the handover ceremony, passing the torch to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games.
H.E.R. performing at the Olympics closing ceremony in Ralph Lauren Credit: Getty Images
The handover celebration at Venice Beach in L.A. featured a roster of famous local talent, each making a statement in stylish Ralph Lauren attire. Multi-Grammy winner Billie Eilish exuded street style chic while performing her new hit song “Birds of a Feather” alongside her brother Finneas on the Venice Beach Stage in L.A. She wore an oversized white Ralph Lauren polo with an American flag design, paired with baggy khaki shorts, a pinstriped navy baseball cap, mismatched socks, and boots. Finneas complemented her look in a Ralph Lauren Team USA blazer. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre also took the stage in L.A., each showcasing an array of Ralph Lauren clothing with a patriotic flair.
Billie Eilish performs at the LA handover in Ralph Lauren. Credit: Getty Images
French singer Yseult concluded the ceremony at Stade de France with a performance of Frank Sinatra’s ballad 'My Way'. She dazzled in an all-black Dior Haute Couture ensemble, featuring a silk jacket with a waist-cinching belt, a matching long skirt (designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior), pointed heels, a hat reinterpreted by milliner Stephen Jones) and leather gloves, paying homage to the brand’s legacy in France. During her performance, fireworks exploded, ending the event with a literal spectacular bang.
French singer Yseult concluded the ceremony, performing at Stade de France. Credit: The Olympic Games / X
It is safe to say that the fashion world surpassed expectations with its contributions to the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony. The convergence of sport and fashion transformed the event into a vibrant showcase of artistic expression. Designers like Kevin Germanier not only dressed athletes but also used the stage to present their bold and innovative visions. These collaborations demonstrated how fashion can enrich experiences, making them more memorable, and affirmed the Olympics as a platform where creativity and tradition come together.