Luhta Sportswear Company has been outfitting the Finnish Olympic team since 2017. As the Paris Olympics loom in July, the Finnish contingent will don the attire crafted by Rukka, the company’s specialized brand in technical and sports-specific apparel, footwear, and accessories. The team will sport Rukka garments during travel, at opening and awards ceremonies, formal events, and leisure time. The groundwork for the collection commenced in autumn 2022 with an idea competition held in collaboration with Aalto University.
“The collection’s idea and inspiration stemmed from ‘light and shadow’ – their interplay and significance,” explained Pasi Luumi, Sales Manager at Luhta Sportswear Company. ”In Finland, light levels fluctuate with the seasons, transitioning from lengthening days in spring to the luminous Midsummer nights. The Olympics collection embodies this concept, with lighter hues at the forefront and darker tones at the rear, symbolizing the contrast between illumination and shadow.”
Crafted in response to athletes’ feedback and their requirements for material quality and functionality, the collection aligns with circular economy principles and optimizes production volume. Recycled materials fostering sustainability and innovative fabrics like Spinnova, Pure Waste and Sorona were prioritized.
Leena Paavolainen, Director of Games Preparations at the Finnish Olympic Committee, lauds the Rukka Olympics collection as a significant achievement.
“Since the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, our collaboration with Luhta has evolved significantly. Designing the collection has become a truly professional process, resulting in an offering that’s cutting-edge in many respects.”
Created together with athletes
The collection, which incorporates insights from athletes and considers the demands of various sports, is tailored to withstand the conditions in Paris. Athletes have been engaged to ensure the collection is designed properly. Paavolainen underscores the impact of cohesive apparel on team unity, stressing its role in shaping the image of Olympic Team Finland as a competitive and representative force. “The collection’s design phase involved extensive athlete engagement, ensuring that their needs were meticulously addressed,” notes Leena Paavolainen.
A curated selection of Rukka Olympic collection items will debut on Luhta’s and Intersport’s online platforms on April 17, 2024, followed by availability in Luhta Brand Stores and Intersport outlets across Finland later in the spring.
