Prada dresses Italy's Olympic sailing team

Everyone knows Italians take fashion seriously. So it should come as no surprise that the country’s national sailing team will wear clothing designed by one of Italy’s most famous fashion houses at the Olympic Games in London this summer.

Family-controlled Prada announced this week that it will create the outfits for both the athletes and the technical staff, as part of its sponsorship agreement with Federvela, the Italian sailing federation.

The Milan-based fashion house, which traces its roots to a small leather goods store founded by brothers Mario and Martino Prada in 1913, will also have its logo featured on the team’s vessels.

“We are extremely proud to have Prada as a sponsor,” said Carlo Croce, president of the federation.

"The Prada brand is not just a flagship of Italy worldwide, but it has always been very closely connected to our sport and has nearly become synonymous with major sailing challenges."

But, if you’re worried that the other Italian athletes won’t look as fashionable, be reassured. Giorgio Armani, who founded the eponymous company in 1975, was chosen to design the outfits of the rest of the country’s Olympic team.