With the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada drifting closer and closer and the news of Vera Wang designing costumes for figure skaters comes the news of 70-year-old designer Ralph Lauren to design the Polo Ralph Lauren Olympic Collection for the U.S. Olympic team to sport at the opening ceremony on February 12th. The collection is said to be inspired by the ‘classic’ outfits worn at the 3rd Winter Olympics in Lake Placid with a modern yet relaxed twist. Senior member of staff at the Polo range, also son of Ralph Lauren, David Lauren said, “We always look back to study history as we create our designs and are always inspired by the classics. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) came to us because they were looking for something that was thoroughly American, and classic but modern. This time, the USOC wanted something that’s a lot more sporty, technical-oriented, a little more relaxed.”

25-year-old Canadian-American figure skater Tanith Belbin, who is on the U.S. Olympic team, is quite excited to be wearing designs by Ralph Lauren for the opening ceremony saying, “Obviously, Lauren’s one of the most, if not the most, iconic American designers ever. He just really respects the roots of American heritage. It’s great to have such an interestingly designed collection. I know that’s something that all the winter athletes were jealous of when we saw the Beijing Games. We wanted to stand out and look really well put together.”

The February 2010 issue of Flare Canada features an editorial entitled “All That Glitters” by photographer Max Abadian starring 19-year-old Canadian model Tara Gill of DNA, who recently walked in the Jean Paul Gaultier couture show at Paris Fashion Week, adorned in a plethora of jewels. Styled by Elizabeth Cabral, Tara is shown with slick back hair, dark eyes, and bold red lips in a variety of risqué lingerie by H&M, Patricia Fieldwalker, La Senza, and Elle Macpherson Intimates and jewels by Alan Anderson, Vera Wang, Dolce & Gabbana, Robert Sorrell, and Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel. This editorial gives an old Hollywood glamour feel, which I quite enjoy with all the bright, shiny jewels dangling all over Tara.

As an amazing couturier, Vera Wang is only utilizing two images for her spring 2010 campaign allowing the pieces to really speak for the collection. As for the face of the campaign, 21-year-old Dutch model Anna de Rijk of DNA, who recently appeared in an editorial by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italy, graces the campaign stunningly in a gorgeous brown one-shoulder tulle short dress with long brown satin gloves and a black sleeveless top with dark gray chains and roses really embodying the passionate Vera Wang designs.