Michel & Amazonka: The Brand Designing Mongolia’s Olympic Uniforms

"...As Olympic Games returns to Paris, a city renowned as the fashion capital, this year not only brings exciting sports results but also highlights the role of fashion in this grand event. One standout outfit that cannot be overlooked is Mongolia’s national outfit, which has been acclaimed as the most beautiful national costume of the competition. This stunning outfit was created by the Mongolian fashion brand Michel & Amazonka. Today, #Legend_th will take you to learn more about it..."

Michel & Amazonka is a fashion brand founded in 2015 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, by the siblings Michel and Amazonka. The brand often focuses on creating clothing and accessories that reflect Mongolian culture.

Previously, the brand has produced many notable works, including the uniforms for the national airline of Mongolia, the Olympic outfits for the Mongolian national team in 2020 and 2022. They have also showcased their work at the Thai Silk International Fashion Week in Thailand.

This year, the standout work of the brand is undoubtedly the national Olympic uniforms for the athletes. These uniforms are distinguished by intricate embroidery of clouds and mountains, reflecting Mongolia’s traditional culture. They draw inspiration from the Deel, the traditional Mongolian outfit worn during Naadam Festival, a national sports event in Mongolia. The design has been updated to look more contemporary while still preserving the original elements and symbols, such as the reduced use of colours to better suit the opening ceremony.

^{Image Courtesy of @michelamazonka}

These distinctive national uniforms for Mongolian athletes also carry symbolic meanings reflecting both Olympic Games and Mongolian culture. For instance, the embroidery features nine white flags and Olympic torch, symbolising the raising of the white flag during the Naadam Festival opening ceremony, akin to lighting the Olympic torch. Additionally, the pattern includes the Summit Mountain, the highest peak often mentioned in Mongolian folklore, representing the athletes need for determination and perseverance to achieve success in their competition.

^{Image Courtesy of @michelamazonka}

Also see: Olympic 2024: All the elegant outfits from the opening ceremony