The Road to Paris

In early 2021 Lotus Romeo had the privilege of being invited to meet with the British Equestrian Federation team, to present our tails and jackets at Head Office. We left some samples of the jackets so that internal discussions could be had, we were subsequently asked to submit a proposal, as with all organisations a tender process is in place and then we waited.

In May 2021 we were notified of our successful proposal, suddenly we were the official supplier to the British Equestrian Team for Competition jackets and tails. We were overwhelmed as we had not expected it to be us.

It is an honour and a privilege to be trusted to individually tailor each jacket and tails for our athletes representing our country, that are meticulously designed to work for them as they battle for glory on the field of play.

Behind the scenes

There is a lot that has to be done before we are given the names of the lucky few who will be setting out to bring back medals for our country from the world’s greatest sporting stage.

Did you know that all the athletes on the World Performance Program have input into what they would like to ride in? That samples are made with different fabrics, lining and colours? This is all happened around Christmas time, once input was received we set about producing designs for each discipline, Dressage, Eventing, Showjumping and the Modern Pentathlon.

Did you spot that every discipline has just a slightly different design?

Designs are submitted to the British Equestrian Federation for their approval, once agreed they go up the chain for approval from the highest levels.

A big job, of course, is that we have to measure athletes before final selection takes place and as you all know there are long lists in place. With the great co-ordination from Sophie Thomas, Head of Performance, Operations & Logistics and her fantastic team, we were at Wellington Riding, The Royal Windsor Horse Show, Badminton, Bicton and a few other places measuring every single athlete on the long list.

For those who haven’t had a custom jacket this entails each athlete trying on a sample jacket for fit, looking at where the fit is correct or not. We then take a fairly long list of measurements so that we can be sure that each athlete has a perfectly fitting jacket or tails when they enter the arena.

Something Special

There are special touches that the jackets have that we only get to use every 4 years – did you spot them? One that you have seen before, the GB Flag for representing your country on the world stage is also special, using intricate metal work on the flag itself.

At Lotus Romeo we believe that individuality is important, every jacket or tails that we produce allows the wearer to put in their own personal touch , embroidered into the back of the jacket. We couldn’t possibly let you into the secrets but you may like to ask one of our athletes if you meet them.

Fabric & Design

At Lotus Romeo we recognised that it could be boiling hot in Paris in early August, our technical fabrics used in our jackets are breathable as well as providing complete freedom of movement. However using our fabric knowledge we incorporated mesh fabrics into the classic jackets providing additional airflow for the athletes should they be riding in tremendous heat.

The colour, print, and form of a design may catch your eye, but it’s the fabric that makes the product work. Fabric is the undeniable baseline that needs to be understood.

Textiles are the language and the heart of competition jackets, providing the foundation upon which all design elements are built. Just as you can’t build a house without foundations, you can’t design and construct performance attire without a deep understanding of fabric.

The texture, drape, and durability of the fabric can significantly influence the overall look, feel, and functionality of a competition jacket. Textiles play a crucial role in bringing a designer’s vision to life and ensuring the end product meets the desired standards of quality and performance. Whether it’s the softness of cashmere, the strength of denim, or the breathability of technical fabrics, understanding textiles is essential for creating exceptional designs.

The FEI approved uniform of the GB Equestrian team is a red collar with white piping on jackets with the addition of waistcoat tips of red with white piping for those riding dressage tests. We felt that we would like to make this a little different whilst holding with tradition, incorporated the blue fabric partially into the collar and waistcoat tips. This was welcomed by the BEF and athletes alike and incorporated into the designs.

The unmistakable piping of Lotus Romeo utilised in the tails since 2009 you will note are different between dressage riders and event riders. Jumping jackets are also subtly different and were different again for our Para athletes in September.

Getting it done

Once the selection process is complete. We are given the green light to get cracking. Our tailors and seamstresses spring into action to ensure that all jackets and tails are with the athletes prior to leaving for the games so if there should be any minor changes that need to happen they can be made.

As with any sporting event things do happen and so jackets and tails are made for reserve travelling athletes should the unthinkable occur. We all have horses and we all know that things happen when we least expect it, on the international stage the British Equestrian Federation have to prepare for any eventuality and we are a part of that contingency process.

We are remarkably proud to be a very small cog within the huge wheel of this enormous operation that few of us get to experience, we have loved every minute of it.

Thanks to all the team at the British Equestrian Federation for allowing us the privilege to work with you on this, the world’s biggest sporting stage.

To our athletes, we are so very proud to have had the honour of seeing you achieve such amazing results and accept medals on the podium, dressed in Lotus Romeo.