South Africa was left divided this past weekend when they saw the Olympic team’s apparel. While some seem to like the designs, others were not impressed.
Sportsmen and women from around the globe strutted into Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium for the official Opening Ceremony, last Friday. It was the South African team that stole the limelight with their safari outfits. However, the outfits did not receive the warm reception they anticipated back home.
The team posted pictures of their kit on Twitter and thanked Mr Price for their outfits and Veldskoenshoes for sponsoring their shoes. The team even had masks that matched their outfits to complete the look.
Soon after the opening ceremony, Mr Price started trending. Many people headed to Twitter where they dragged Mr Price for the attire that they say looked as if it was designed by a farmer for a farmer.
Mr Price has the team looking like land owners/farmers ? https://t.co/kvvgBAZjkn
— Dima (@Dima_Mawandla) July 23, 2021
Many people questioned the fact that the company didn’t hire more experienced designers to design the attire.
Media personality Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung was among those who were not impressed by the outfits.
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Actress Pearl Thusi echoed Somizi’s words.
So just to be clear – I hated the South African Olympic costume too but I have a question-
Does this mean that only traditional costumes (as we have many) and designs represent South Africa well?— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) July 26, 2021
Who is behind the design?
The gear was designed by four designers from the Durban Fashion Fair mentorship programme. Nompumelelo Mjadu, Sipho Lushaba, Mbali Zulu and Sandile Sikhakhane were hand-picked by Mr Price Sport to design the opening ceremony outfits.
Speaking to Cape Talk, Lushaba said that people reacted the way they did because they didn’t know the inspiration behind the gear.
He said they wanted something that would represent the whole of South Africa, that’s why they went for the animal print and the protea, instead of choosing one culture.
He added that they were not responsible for the shoes, only the garments. The shoes were designed by Veldskoen.