On November 12, the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation unveiled the official uniforms that will be worn by more than 18,000 volunteers and Organising Committee staff during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In total, more than 25,000 people will wear garments born of the creative collaboration between the Foundation and Salomon, a premium partner of the event. FashionNetwork.com discussed the project (and much more) with Raffaella Panié, brand image and look director of Milano Cortina 2026, and Guillaume Meyzenq, president & CEO of Salomon.

“Our project with Salomon began two years ago, when much was still to be defined. We realised the visual impact of so many people would be extremely powerful, so we devoted great care to the uniforms, which represent both a key communication and branding opportunity and a strong message of belonging,” Panié told us. “Milano Cortina 2026 is an event that will put all of Italy in the spotlight. With Salomon we found a partner to work hand in hand with to convey the vibrant Italian spirit through the uniforms, carrying out extensive testing and refinements. The result is a highly technical, high-performance product; in addition to the uniforms, the company is the licensee of a line of garments bearing the Milano Cortina 2026 logo that can be purchased by end consumers.”

Developed over 18 months by the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation team and Salomon’s Annecy Design Centre, the project involved more than 50 experts, designers, engineers, and technicians to create 17 interconnected elements suited to every role and weather condition. In total, more than 400,000 pieces were produced, marrying technical performance with visual identity. Each volunteer will receive a complete kit, designed to ensure maximum functionality in every operational context, from mountain slopes to city arenas.

The kit includes an outdoor jacket, which provides thermal insulation and protection from the elements; garments referred to as “mid-layers”, ideal for indoor environments or mild climates; trousers in two versions, one insulated for more extreme conditions and one lighter for everyday activities; accessories such as hats and gloves; a Trailblazer 20 backpack; and, for footwear, Salomon’s X Ultra 360 Mid Gore-Tex hiking boots.

“Salomon is a brand that continues to grow: we have evolved from a winter sports brand to an outdoor brand, and now we are a global sports label,” CEO Guillaume Meyzenq explained. “We have a strong Alpine community – in France, Italy, and Switzerland – and throughout our history we have worked with many Olympic athletes; so the collaboration with Milano Cortina 2026 was a natural one. The main challenge was to create uniforms that would meet the needs of staff and volunteers, both in the mountains and in the city. Beyond the Olympic partnership, we will celebrate the event with collaborations with Italian brands and, in particular, Milan-based ones; there will be surprises even before February.”

Regarding the brand’s performance: “Today we have about 500 Salomon-branded stores worldwide, including directly operated and partner-run locations. Europe is growing at double-digit rates and we are seeing very strong growth in Asia, particularly in China; in general, all the countries where we already had some brand awareness are accelerating significantly,” the executive adds. “What is worth emphasising is that we are moving beyond the mountains, for which people have historically known us: today we are able to offer products and experiences for the city as well. In particular, in 2024 footwear surpassed $1 billion in turnover.”

Part of the Amer Sports Group, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Salomon does not release financial data, “but what I can say is that Amer Sports’ Outdoor Performance segment, which includes Salomon, grew by 30%. We are experiencing great momentum,” Meyzenq points out.

Future plans for the brand, which until now in its domestic market had only the Annecy location, include the opening of new offices in Paris by the end of the year. “This will be a 1,500-square-metre, multi-storey space on Boulevard Magenta, which will also house two large showrooms,” the manager concludes. “We realised that an office in the capital will give us the opportunity to be closer to our customers, our partners and our clientele, which is becoming younger, as well as to recruit a broader range of talent to support the development of the brand.”