Salomon launches numerous projects, starting with the official uniforms for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games

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

“Our project with Salomon began two years ago, when much was still to be defined. We realized that the visual impact of so many people would be extremely powerful, so we devoted great attention 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 with whom we can work hand in hand to convey the vibrant Italian spirit through the uniforms, carrying out extensive testing and improvements. The result is a highly technical and high-performance product; in addition to the uniforms, the company is the licensee of a line of clothing with 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 Center, the project involved more than 50 experts, designers, engineers and technicians to create 17 interconnected elements suitable for each function and climatic condition. In total, more than 400,000 pieces were produced, combining 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 urban stadiums.

The kit includes an outdoor jacket, which provides thermal insulation and protection against the elements; garments called “middle layers”, ideal for indoor environments or temperate climates; pants in two versions, one insulating for more extreme conditions and another lighter for everyday activities; accessories such as hats and gloves; a Trailblazer 20 backpack; and, in terms of footwear, the X Ultra 360 Mid Gore-Tex hiking boots from Salomon.

“Salomon is a brand that continues to grow: we have evolved from a winter sports brand to an outdoor sports brand and are now a global sports brand,” explained CEO Guillaume Meyzenq. “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 natural. The main challenge was to create uniforms that met the needs of staff and volunteers, both on the mountains and in the city. Beyond the Olympic partnership, we will celebrate the event with collaborations with Italian brands and, in particular, with brands based in Milan; there will be surprises even before February.”

Regarding brand performance: “Today we have around 500 Salomon brand stores around the world, including directly operated and partner-managed locations. Europe is growing at double-digit rates and we are seeing very strong growth in Asia, particularly in China; in general, all countries where we already had some brand awareness are accelerating significantly,” the executive adds. “What must be highlighted is that we go beyond the mountains, for which people historically know us: today we can offer products and experiences also for the city. In particular, in 2024 footwear will exceed one billion dollars in turnover.”

Salomon, part of the NYSE-listed Amer Sports Group, doesn't publish financial data, “but what I can say is that Amer Sports' Outdoor Performance segment, which includes Salomon, grew 30%. We're seeing a lot of momentum,” Meyzenq says.

Future plans for the brand, which until now only had its headquarters in Annecy in its domestic market, include the opening of new offices in Paris at the end of the year. “It will be a space of 1,500 square meters and several floors on Magenta Boulevard, which will also house two large showrooms,” concludes the manager. “We realized that an office in the capital will give us the opportunity to be closer to our clients, our partners and our increasingly younger clientele, as well as to recruit a broader range of talent to support the development of the brand.”