By Ayanda Ntuli
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Louis Gabriel Nouchi, the visionary behind the French menswear label LGN, crafted custom outfits for over 700 Paralympians at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics, demonstrating to us all that style knows no boundaries.
Established in 2017 and celebrated for its commitment to gender fluidity and size inclusivity, LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi creates elegant menswear. The French brand is known for its contemporary clothing that features a subtle touch of minimalism, combining avant-garde aesthetics with classic sophistication. Throughout his career, Louis Gabriel Nouchi has collaborated with renowned brands, showcasing his versatility across various styles and functional needs. He has designed a capsule collection for Galeries Lafayette, created sportswear for the Paris Saint-Germain football club and crafted thermal clothing for Damart. His work also includes fashion collaborations with La Redoute and the leading Chinese fashion house Joeone. Demonstrating his commitment to eco-friendly and responsible fashion, Nouchi also recently teamed up with French brand Kaporal to develop an upcycled denim collection.
Vincent Fandos
The 2024 Paralympics, currently underway in Paris, features over 4,000 athletes from around the world competing for medals in a range of events. The ceremony commenced at the Champs-Élysées and concluded at the Place de la Concorde, which was transformed into a temporary stadium. This year’s opening ceremony not only highlighted the athletic talent on display but, much like the Olympics, offered a unique platform for innovative fashion. It served as a blank canvas for Louis-Gabriel Nouchi’s couture, showcasing how high-end design can complement and elevate the spirit of the games.
His work experience with a dance company guided his focus on designing garments that accommodate dance movements. Nouchi highlighted that his biggest hurdle was ensuring the functionality of the outfits during performances. He also emphasised the importance of viewing things from a wider lens. “When you do a collection, you have one look on the runway that people see, but here you have 100 dancers on the stage and have to think of how things look from far away and all at once.” Nouchi’s overall objective was to ensure his brand remained recognisable by preserving the distinct elements of LGN, such as a comfortable fit and the use of innovative materials.
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Nouchi went above and beyond because “It’s the Olympics!” he said. “It had to be dramatic. I used metres and metres of fabric to create show-stopping gowns and even dipped my toe into things like feathers and embellishments I’ve never experimented with before.” He also drew inspiration from the French flag, using red, white and blue as staples across the collection. Lest we forget, Nouchi’s iconic oversized tailoring with bold shoulders was a standout element of the collection. Singers Christine and the Queens, along with other performers, were styled in striking double-breasted jackets and flared pants. Adding to the mix, Nouchi’s classic relaxed sportswear appeared in metallic gold and silver, inspired by the prestigious medals athletes are competing for throughout the Paralympic Games.
It's no wonder that stylist and costumes director Daphné Bürki of Paris 2024 ceremonies reached out to Nouchi to commission the wardrobe for this event. His impressive track record merged with this unique style make him the ideal choice for outfitting over 700 athletes at the opening ceremony – an event that celebrated diversity and individuality. “Inclusivity is such an important part of LGN that I couldn’t not do it” said Nouchi. “It was the right challenge to take on; I always say that I work on all bodies, and I take that mission seriously.” Nouchi’s inventive designs not only celebrate the paralympic spirit but also demonstrate that fashion can be both functional and fabulous on a grand stage.
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