Canadian Olympic Team Uniforms To Include B-Tube Air Filter
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Canada's Beijing Olympic Uniforms
Feature Eco-Friendly Materials |
Canadian Olympic team apparel supplier Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) yesterday unveiled a "sun-blocking polyester tube dubbed the B-Tube," which can be worn as a head cover, hair band or mask to "filter out the particulate matter in the air" at this summer's Beijing Olympic Games, according to James Christie of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. The $15 B-Tube garments are "lightweight, in deference to expected 40-degree [Celsius] heat" in Beijing, with "busy red and white prints with splashes of teal and green." The motifs are "combined Canadian and Chinese themes" and include the "liberal use of the Chinese lucky number eight as a numeral and as octagonal patterns." Color and design inspiration was derived from the "five elements of Chinese astrology: earth, wood, fire, water and metal." Olympic team members will receive 25 items as "part of the team package, including leisure wear, jackets, pants and shorts, hoodies and T-shirts." Replicas of most of the pieces will be available at HBC and Zellers stores and online (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/1). HBC designers said that Canada's Beijing Games uniforms feature the company's "first-ever collection comprising earth-friendly materials such as bamboo, organic cotton and cacona, which is derived from coconut." Designer Tu Ly said that the "move to go green is in keeping with the larger global migration towards creating a more eco-friendly world." The CP's Lauren La Rose reported the line, in deference to China, features "pieces blending boldly patterned designs that fuse Canadian and Chinese symbols and influences." The word "Canada" is written in English and Chinese, and the Maple Leaf logo is "emblazoned on select items." HBC's Olympic design team "worked with Olympic athletes from across Canada to craft the collection" (CP, 4/30).
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