Para-equestrian athlete Stella Barton included in Aussie Paralympic Team Uniform Launch

The Australian Paralympic Team’s uniform for Paris 2024 features some of the most innovative accessibility designs ever produced for an Australian representative team.

The team’s official kit was unveiled on the final day of Australian Fashion Week in Sydney on Friday by some of the country’s biggest stars of Para-sport and included Australian Para-Dressage rider Stella Barton. 

For the Opening Ceremony on August 28, the Australian Paralympic Team will be outfitted by R.M.Williams, marking the eighth consecutive Games collaboration between Paralympics Australia and the famous Australian clothing brand.

Competition and casual wear have been produced by Australian company Belgravia Apparel, which joins the Australian Paralympic Team as apparel partner for the first time.

After listening to athlete feedback, Paralympics Australia worked closely with designers at both companies to incorporate a range of thoughtful modifications that cater to a wide range of athletes’ needs.

Accessibility features include magnetic fasteners and zippers in place of buttons. Elasticated waistbands have been added to shorts and pants  for a more comfortable fit. Selected footwear items have zips instead of traditional laces and casual sandals have been made available in a wide range of fittings and styles to cater for all impairment types.

“We’re excited by these thoughtfully crafted designs that ensure accessibility for each Paralympian,” Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said.

“When our Australian team marches down the Champs-Élysées and into the Opening Ceremony at the Place de la Concorde they will do it with pride in their R.M.Williams uniform.

“When they compete on the biggest stage of all, they will do so in sportswear that has been tailor-made by Belgravia to suit individual needs and requests.

“This really is an outstanding uniform that should give our athletes confidence at every stage of their Paralympic Games experience.”

Along with R.M.Williams and Belgravia, Paralympics Australia’s outfitting partners are Birkenstock, Mizuno and Speedo.

Belgravia Founder and Group Chairman, Geoff Lord, said the company was delighted to partner Paralympics Australia and supply competition and casual wear to the team for Paris 2024.

“Our team worked tirelessly throughout the design and manufacturing process to ensure every athlete is afforded competition wear that caters for individual body shapes and impairments,” Mr Lord said.  

“Our objective was to deliver apparel that maximises performance, freedom of movement and comfort. We wish the team the best of luck in their quest for Paralympic glory."

The Chief Executive Officer of R.M.Williams, Paul Grosmann, said: “R.M.Williams was founded on the premise of personal connection with its customers, understanding their lifestyles and crafting beautiful products that cater to their needs.

“We’re proud to continue that legacy today and send Australia’s Paralympians off to Paris in uniforms that they can feel comfortable and confident in.”

The uniforms feature ‘The Journey’ design by artist Rheanna Lotter, Yuin woman and founder of the aboriginal art collective Ngandabaa.

The Journey has become a hallmark of Australian Paralympic Team uniforms since Rio 2016. The design features eight circles to represent the Australian states and territories, tracks to represent the connection between Paralympians, and boomerangs to represent challenges overcome in the journey to the Games.