Leading Fashion Designers Give Olympians A Makeover

Four young Olympic hopefuls are transformed from tracksuits to bespoke fashion

Some of the hottest new talent to take part in this years Olympic games have swapped their tracksuit and trainers to be styled by some of the most iconic British fashion designers. Through bespoke creations and access to future season collections, they were each given unique outfits which afforded them the opportunity to give their gruelling schedules and kit-wearing a break whilst experiencing a high-fashion project..

Groundbreaking designer Vivienne Westwood, the doyenne of revolutionary British fashion, teamed up with 14 year old diver Tom Daley, who has already been picked at one to watch at the Beijing games. With the guidance of Westwood designers, briefed by Vivienne herself, the young diver was styled in a trendy fitted blazer, orange t-shirt and charcoal straight-leg trousers.  Vivienne stated “Diving to the standard that Tom does must take heaps of practice and dedication.  Therefore it’s only right that such talent is rewarded and what better way to do so than by a confidence-boosting outfit?”

Other Olympic hopefuls included Somalia-born Mo Farah who received the Savile Row treatment with a bespoke suit from Richard James, the tailor to the stars who is renowned for his updated classics and individualistic design aesthetic.

Also at the shoot was London’s equestrian beauty Natasha Baker wearing a striking dress designed for her by famous designer Giles Deacon. Natasha’s dress reflects her sport as elegance and dressage play a key part in the competition. The Olympian was stunned to learn a ‘whole can of hair spray’ was used to achieve the look, but none the less she was amazed with the final look.

Asian influences and elegant eveningwear could only mean one thing; Marchesa. The elegant eveningwear brand, founded by co-designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, designed a fabulous dress for gymnast Beth Tweddle, who describes this moment as the ‘biggest honour’.

The chosen four were a selection of the sixteen athletes personally picked by Steve Redgrave and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson as they train on an exclusive Visa sponsorship programme. Redgrave and Thompson help the young athletes prepare for the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. The team consists of eight ‘hopefuls’ and eight ‘apprentices’ who have all demonstrated outstanding potential as prospective Olympians. For further information on the programme visit http://www.teamvisa.com/.

Click here to watch the four athletes describe their transformation and their hopes for the Olympics.