Rochester on display at Olympic ceremonies

RIO DE JANEIRO — When the 2016 Olympic Games open tonight, Rochester will be on full display as Team USA will be dressed in Rochester-made Hickey Freeman blazers designed by Ralph Lauren.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter heralded the local company’s work for the Olympic blazers in a statement, saying, “This is a proud day for Rochester’s own Hickey Freeman, its hundreds of workers, and our entire community. Hickey Freeman’s expanded partnership with Ralph Lauren to make apparel for Team USA at the Olympics will showcase one of our most iconic businesses to the world.”

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer agreed: “Ralph Lauren, a great New York company, joining forces with a fellow New York company, Hickey Freeman, to produce Team USA’s apparel is truly a match made in heaven. This will not only guarantee our Olympians have the best uniforms to wear, but also continues a bright future of stability and expansion for manufacturing in Rochester.”

“Bright” was a wise choice of words by Schumer, as Team USA’s flag bearer will “literally light the way for Team USA as they represent our country in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games,” according to David Lauren, son of Ralph and executive vice president of global advertising for Ralph Lauren. The design of the jacket features electroluminescent panels, which makes it glow in the dark.

“This groundbreaking jacket exemplifies Ralph Lauren’s continued exploration of the intersection of fashion and technology. For an athlete, being chosen as the flag bearer for Team USA is an extraordinary honor, and we wanted to pay tribute to that position.” David Lauren said.

Those who wish to purchase the Olympic blazers can do so for $695 directly from Ralph Lauren. Only 2,000 were made and 1,000 of them are in Rio, meaning only 1,000 are available for sale.

Hickey Freeman and Ralph Lauren also teamed up to make the shorts that will be worn by Team USA athletes in the closing ceremonies on Aug. 21.