Ralph Lauren Humiliates America

[DogPoundPup]

So why did Polo Ralph Lauren go and embarrass us all by not just putting their logo on the clothes but putting in on SO BIG? The white Polo logo against the dark blue navy color of the jackets, because of its tactlessness seemed to a foot high and 6 inches wide on the breast pockets. In fact, they were probably only four of five inches high, but I can vouch for this: you couldn’t miss ‘em, even in the mid-distance shots on a non-Hi-Def teevee.

Ralph Lauren’s logo will be hammered more than notably on every shirt, sweater, pair of shorts, sneakers and sunglasses our American athletes wear in China.

It’s a wonder that the Republican Party didn’t insist on tattooing each athlete's ankles with red elephants.

Moreover, don’t think this effort wasn’t strictly business. No one would tell me all the financial details, but Lauren put out many millions, and received ONLY $10 million for the Olympics scheme which may contractually carry over to Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012!

Received $10 million? For what? That just has to be wrong.

To be honest, several other fashion purveyors did participate with other national teams, including Rio-based Oestuido for Brazil and, of course, Nike, who supply 23 of 29 Chinese teams with their swooshes.

From my viewer’s standpoint, other makers’ logos were not visible.

The collective gasp of bad taste only came when Lauren paraded his logo on the backs, front, sides, and feet of our kids.

David Lauren added that his look is "very sharp, very graphic on TV, very aspirational and very statesmanlike.”

Graphic? Yes! Statesmanlike? Is he insane? When was that last time you saw former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan wearing a Horse and Rider™ on his suit pocket?

Who’s kidding who? It’ clear as daylight through the Beijing smog that Polo Ralph Lauren is marketing to the four <em>billion</em> people who are projected to watch the Olympics these next weeks.

Lauren said that the company was nervous but excited about last night’s parade. He claimed the Beijing procession honoring world peace through athletics was Polo Ralph Lauren’s “highest-profile moment” in its more than forty-year history.

And they wasted it.

In the end, Alex Badia of DNR said it best: “They have drawn so much from American heritage that it represents the country”.

Yes, isn’t that a shame.

David Lauren underscored his pity for tasteless athletes by providing a booklet to each athlete that instructs them:

* How to wear the Polo clothes well;
* How to button a Polo blazer;
* How to tie a Polo tie;
* How to walk in Polo clothes; and
* How to talk in Polo Clothes.

Oh brother. Time to take junior to the woodshed, Ralph!

You may think I can’t top this story.

Well, it tops itself.

Turns out Lauren also presented George Bush Jr. with his own “opening ceremony uniform”. His navy blazer, however, is embroidered with his title. Bush didn’t wear it; Laura was with him and she has a brain.

Anyway, how do you fit “George DumbBellYou Bush” on a lapel?

Postscript: Here’s a tip for all of you tasteless Neocons. You can buy a replica blazer from Lauren for only $695.00 (or 445.00 Euros) and everything else “Olympic” from Polo Ralph Lauren - but only if you beat the Rush!
http://www.apj.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1634&Itemid=2

[Barack_America]

1. FYI, that's not what the blazers looked like during the Opening Ceremonies...

No logo.

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. here is the actual photo (Logo seen)

http://thepreppyprincess.wordpress.com/2008/08/09/summer-olympics-fashion-focus-ralph-lauren-team-usa-opening-ceremony-uniforms-reactions-and-who-was-preppy-dressed-team/

[Barack_America]

4. Bit of a difference between those 2 photos, wouldn't you say?

As they are, I didn't even notice them.

[DogPoundPup]

8. Didn't notice because brand consumerism is etched in our brains

[Barack_America]

10. Didn't notice because it was too small to see clearly. nt

[DogPoundPup]

11. Just asking...do you see the point of this article now?

[Hugin]

3. I was thinking I hadn't seen them. n/t

[glowing]

5. They did have the little emblem.. but all their clothing does.. why would they

do something any different? Who cares. They looked fine. What would you have them wear, coyboy and Indian outfits? Seriously, I'm sure designers from around the world participated in the customing of Olympics... The whole thing is a glorious epic to the Games and the Gods who are the Best.. So, why not dress them well?

[DogPoundPup]

7. You say no logo?

Did you see the pic on msg. #2 here? THE POINT IS from the article; "the IOC continues to portray the Olympiad as a “pure” sporting event celebrating the best athletes on earth - not a place for blundering materialism. This seems especially poignant given that the United States is closing in on its fourth quarter of recession and more family homes are being reposessed than bought.

I propose that along with drug testing labs, we have logo-testing experts who make certain the logos are hidden.

Lauren – and most likely his son David – celebrated not the spirit of athletic competition but themselves and their brand, morphing our athletes into unpaid billboards for the “Polo™” pony and rider that has helped bring the Laurens great – and well deserved – riches."
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Other countries had NO logo's showing during the opening ceremonies!

[bdf]

15. They lost the "pure sporting event" status

When companies were allowed to advertise themselves as providing the "official drink" or "official snack bar" to various country's teams.

At least we don't (yet) have "Official haemorrhoid ointment to the US Olympic team," but I'm sure it will happen one day.

[IdClaire]

19. I thought the beret was the crowning achievement

Apparently RL's vision of America is a mythical one unless you live in the world of the Great Gatsby. I thought they looked ridiculous and having a logo on their blazers whatever the size was tacky but then again maybe it does show how brand conscious our country is. For once Bush showed some sense by not wearing one of those suits. I would have preferred blue jeans and white tshirts. RL is an egomaniac and his son carries on the tradition.

[Auggie]

6. Was Bush supplied with a dunce cap?

[Happyhippychick]

9. ?? I watched them come in during the parade and didn't notice the logo at all.

Strange.

[onehandle]

12. That's because it wasn't there. It's been obviously and Badly Photoshopped.

Sheesh!

[DogPoundPup]

13. Americans are so influenced by consumerism and capitalisms marketing schemes

we don't see what is clearly right in front of us.

[Captain Sensible]

21. Get over yourself. nt

[DogPoundPup]

22. Hey Captain, what's your beef exactly?

:shrug:

[Happyhippychick]

14. I have to agree with you.

[Kali]

16. I think it was exaggerated to make the authors point

geez I think the OP is right - a lot of us are so inundated with the shit (TEE VEE!) we become unconscious of it.

[DogPoundPup]

17. Thanks ... glad someone 'got it'

:bounce:

[Kali]

18. yeah well I don't have teevee or shop much, so...

:rofl:

[anonymous171]

20. It's fitting. The United States of Corporate America.

[RainDog]

23. Repulsive - because it's so true and so sad. Prez to the highest bidder.

[PassingFair]

24. LOL. It looks like they were hit by a flock of seagulls!

And I don't mean THESE guys.





Yuck.