Namibian fur on the Olympic stage

Henriette Lamprecht
In a unique combination between haute couture and tradition, a prestigious fashion house in the heart of Paris, France, has joined forces with one of Namibia's great exports to showcase the coveted luxury of the country's "black diamond" on the world stage. .
Yves Salomon, one of the leading furriers in the world who makes coats for many of the biggest fashion and couture designers, has designed unique outfits with fur from swakara for Namibia's two flag bearers at today's opening of the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris . During the opening ceremony at the Seine, Vera Looser and Alex Miller will be dressed in outfits designed by Yves Salomon and featuring swakara fur.
With Namibia's dry landscapes as inspiration, fur with sand-coloured shades was chosen for the outfits as a symbol of the country's natural beauty and heritage and for a piece of desert in the heart of Paris.
Yves Salomon's designs for Looser and Miller are a mix of modern aesthetics and the timeless appeal of swakara's furs, popularly known as the black diamond.
This exposure during the ceremony, during which 60 000 participants will sail on about 100 boats over a distance of 6 km past the most famous landmarks such as the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on the world-famous Seine, is expected to generate renewed interest and demand in luxurious fur.
The boats will stop near the Eiffel Tower where President Emmanuel Macron will officially open the Games. Some 500 000 spectators are expected to gather along the Seine that flows through Paris this evening.
Apart from Looser (cycling) and Miller (cycling), Namibia is also represented by Philip Seidler (swimming) and Helalia Johannes (athletics). – [email protected]