STANDARDS
Core Art Standards: VA5, VA7, VA10
CCSS: R2, R3, R6
Dressing to Win
David Lauren talks about designing for Olympians
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC
Team USA at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Sochi, Russia, in 2014
Scholastic Art: What is your job?
David Lauren: I am the chief branding and innovation officer at Ralph Lauren. This means I am like the chief storyteller for the company. I lead the teams that create all the cool ways people see and experience the Ralph Lauren brand—from social media posts and store displays to new shopping technologies. I also have the incredible honor of leading our partnership with Team USA.
SA: How did the company Ralph Lauren first become involved in designing for Olympic athletes?
Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images
David Lauren
DL: Our journey with Team USA began in 2008. I remember getting that call from the U.S. Olympic Committee just months before the Beijing Games. They had seen our work with Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and felt Ralph Lauren could make Team USA feel like true ambassadors of America in both sport and style.
SA: What do you think about when creating uniforms for Team USA?
DL: We work very closely with Team USA to create uniforms that tell a story about American culture. It is an incredibly thoughtful process that considers every detail—function, fit, and symbolism. Each piece must work for hundreds of different body types, from basketball players to gymnasts, wrestlers to pole-vaulters, which adds both a creative challenge and a design responsibility.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC
Basketball players Anthony Davis and LeBron James wear Ralph Lauren blazers before the Opening Ceremony in Paris in 2024
SA: What is the design process for Team USA’s uniforms?
DL: The process begins with a deep exploration of what makes athletes feel like champions. Some have shared that this will be their very first blazer or tie, so these garments must feel significant—something worthy of becoming a lifelong keepsake. From there, we work closely across our design teams and our manufacturing partners in the United States to refine construction details, select fine fabrics, and ensure that every element—from cut to color—reflects the highest craftsmanship.
SA: How do the looks of the uniforms vary depending on their purpose?
DL: For the Opening Ceremony, our goal is to create a look that makes athletes feel like ambassadors on a global stage: polished, iconic, and unmistakably American. For the Closing Ceremony and villagewear, the design language shifts to a more relaxed, celebratory feel, incorporating fabrics chosen for ease, breathability, and performance. In every case, the process blends storytelling, precision tailoring, and a deep respect for the athletes who will wear these pieces in one of the most memorable moments of their lives.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC
What energy do Victor Montalvo, Grace Choi, Jeffrey Louis, and Logan Edra exhibit in their Ralph Lauren uniforms ahead of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics?
SA: How long before the 2026 Winter Olympics did your team’s work begin?
DL: We’re always thinking ahead to the next Games. The design process for each Games typically begins years in advance— it has to, given the scale and importance of creating uniforms that will become part of Olympic history.
SA: Can you give us a teaser? What can we expect to see at this winter’s Olympics?
DL: While I can’t reveal too much yet, I’m excited about what we’re developing for the 2026 Winter Olympics. We’re going to tell a story about the American dream.
Courtesy of Ralph Lauren
The sketches shown here offer a sneak peek at the 2026 Team USA Villagewear collection.
SA: What does it mean to you to be involved with designing for Olympians?
DL: When I was a child watching the Olympics on television, the athletes seemed like gods. Now, being part of this incredible event where fashion and sport collide on the world’s stage, it’s a dream come true. There’s nothing better than hearing an Olympic athlete tell you how proud they felt standing before the world in Ralph Lauren.
SA: What advice would you give to students who are interested in a career like yours?
DL: Stay with what you believe in and what you love. That’s how you’ll find success in the long run. The fashion industry isn’t just about design—it’s about storytelling and innovation. Look at our Olympic journey. It combines sport, style, and American heritage. Find what truly inspires you and become an expert in it.
Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Womens crosscountry skiing silver medalist Jessie Diggins of Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
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