At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Simone Biles and the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team wore leotards adorned with 47,000 Swarovski crystals

August 7, 2024

This year, designers enhanced leotards not just with additional crystals but also by incorporating pearls for the first time. Furthermore, the leotards are being showcased to the public weeks before the athletes perform in Paris. This early reveal emphasizes the importance of leotards as a key fashion element in what is being promoted as the most stylish Olympics ever. This focus on fashion is partly due to the involvement of French luxury group LVMH, the parent company of brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Berluti, all contributing products for the Games.

The leotards for the 2024 Paris Olympics have been designed to embody Paris’s status as the fashion capital, drawing more inspiration from haute couture runways than traditional sportswear. GK Elite started with trend presentations and mood boards, aiming for evening-wear aesthetics. They incorporated high fashion elements, including corsetry, Art Nouveau architecture, and 1920s Hollywood glamour. Among the eight leotard options available to the gymnasts is the Luminous Legacy, featuring over 10,000 crystals on a red, white, and blue base, with a V-neck and corset design, giving the appearance of an elaborate bustier.

simone biles leotard in 2024 paris olympics with swarovski crystals and pearls

Another standout design is the Star Spangled Shine, akin to the little black dress, featuring velvet details and outlined stars among 6,359 crystals to create “negative space.” The Freedom’s Grace leotard, a white piece blending leotard and lingerie gown styles, includes sheer lacy mesh, nearly 3,500 crystals, and just under 1,000 hand-placed pearls.

Gymnast Suni Lee expressed excitement about choosing which leotard to wear for different events. Priced like evening wear, each leotard would cost about $5,000 if sold at retail. “Replica leotards,” without sleeves and with spangle embellishments instead of most crystals, will be available for $89.99.

Simone Biles

Ensuring these heavily embellished leotards remain functional is a technical challenge, as they are not just apparel but also performance equipment. Perfect fit is crucial to avoid deductions for adjusting the leotards during routines. Swarovski North America, providing crystals for GK Elite for over a decade, emphasizes the importance of their crystal technology, particularly under the extreme conditions of the Olympics. Swarovski also supplies crystals to high-fashion brands like Versace, Schiaparelli, and Prada.