An Inside Look at Team USA’s $3,000 Gymnastics Leotards With 47,000 Crystals

The Olympics gymnastics tumbling floor is basically a designer runway, with athletes donning $3,000 leotards adorned with thousands upon thousands of Swarovski crystals. Fortune spoke with design team GK Elite about the craft that goes into these stunning garments and the evolution of Olympic gymnastics fashion over the years.
Read the full article by Fortune reporter Sasha Rogelberg here: fortune.com/20...
#olympics #teamusa #gymnastics #leotards #simonebiles #sunisalee #gymnasts #gkelite #leotards
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[@mdooms76]

This year's leotard for the women is the best one ever!! So classy, detailed and unique.

[@JENKEN425]

both were gorgeous. the leotards they wore on qualiying day were cool., the starts on them were cool, the color was nice, but simone biles leotard rode up just a bit when she was on beam.

[@kaleigh5630]

Just about to come here to say this! This years leos are my fave for sure! I think the black high neck one is my favorite of the collection

[@JENKEN425]

@@kaleigh5630 MIN E TOO

[@rosegoldbanks4842]

@@JENKEN425She has a bit of booty 😂😂😂

[@JN-wr9he]

They looked like tacky cheerleaders

[@kerrihennebury7616]

I was blown away by the leotards when they walked out on the floor. They were ✨ glittering! How can anyone not be envious of the team? The high fashion along with the performances was a match made in heaven.

[@JN-wr9he]

😂😂😂

[@sfjessy1]

The artistry of the uniforms has been so noticeable this year. They are beautiful.

[@AnaDiaz-wz4cf]

They're gorgeous 😍

[@iceunelle]

I love the dark ones with all the sparkly stars they wore the first night. So pretty!

[@jkn8705]

These leotards are absolutely gorgeous! Well done. ❤

[@resecup3584]

I could not agree more!!

[@nightswimmer99]

Worth it. Royalty deserves to be properly attired. These girls rule. 😊

[@katjay3125]

Lol

[@JN-wr9he]

For a democratic country americans are paradoxically obsessed with royalty

[@ShelleeGraham]

This was an excellent 5 minute program, but would LOVE to see a history of gymnastics leotards through the years. A longer program with photos of gymnasts, events, etc. I’d like to know more about GK Elite and maybe other manufacturers. Many Thanks. Well Done 👍.

[@patriciahayes2664]

Me too. I hope they write a book about it.

[@gabrielmoro3d]

The amount of detail in these!!! The black leo with stars and the fireworks…just wow!

[@creating1_c1999]

These athletes deserve it. The swag is all they get from USAG for the all of the hard work they have given to this sport.

[@WookieWoman]

Exactly! Can you imagine how much time the athletes spent doing the crystals on their own uniforms over the years? It takes forever! They've earned this. 🎉

[@JustPassingBy_Yolo]

The leotards that Team USA wore at qualifications were the best one so far. Love it!! I am excited to see their Leos as we continue gymnastics at the Olympics! Today, it's team finals... super excited!! Go Team USA!!

[@JENKEN425]

YES I LIKED THE LEOTARDS AT QUALIFYER DAY BETTER THAN THE UNIFORMS AT MEDAL DAY.

[@HB-ey2dk]

I loved the qualification leos too but the color threw me off. Like a deep blue would've made more sense but I loved the design

[@sxt4447]

I was hoping there’d be a video on these leotards because they are especially beautiful this year ✨

[@coll4455]

The one they wore in podium training the blue with the fireworks was absolutely gorgeous!!! The last one they showed in this video it’s hands down my favorite

[@HB-ey2dk]

One of my favorite parts of the Olympics is finding out which leo they chose for each final. These are by far the most beautiful Olympic ones the US has had to date, although Tokyos leos were gorgeous too

[@elsiebert2273]

The designs, colors, styles, and crystals are stunning this year.

[@genevieveaciro638]

The girls look stunning on their costumes...well done🎉

[@elliottbradley6302]

You deserved a ""gold 🥇 medal" for all of your hard , details and labor....🇺🇲💪🏼

[@JuniperArcher]

The slate designs they wore for the qualifiers were my absolute favourite. Bravo!

[@MusicKnowte]

i love how the stars are negative space on a transparent canvas so that when something is worn under the garment, the stars gain dimension !! 😩 i can’t get enough

[@MrErinholbert]

They are beautiful under the lights the way they sparkle, almost like an electric show with lights turned on to twinkle.

[@NatureAli2]

I think it reflects the glory of the country and what it represents just right! So much meticulous work and care, for a performance that will show-off what the US is made of, both inside and outside.

[@KayMaria40]

Bravo to the designers Team USA is blindingly beautiful these games…

[@coloraturaElise]

Really stunning leotards this year, and there were others besides US that were fab, too, like that yellow one Rebaca A wore.

[@Objection_23and1]

This years were STUNNING all of them qualifications, today , trials, just gorgeous ✨✨✨✨✨ I loved all the crystals. They all looked bomb

[@alisons9740]

Fantastic story! This year’s Leos caught my eye in a way previous haven’t. Love going behind the scenes to hear how special and thoughtful these garments are. 🥇🇺🇸💪

[@kbs8597]

These are the most beautiful leos that I’ve ever seen our USA Team wear.💖💖💖👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@BuffyNoir140]

The white leotards worn by the Italian team was stunning.

[@nilawarriorprincess]

Yes! Those were my favorites.

[@ShelleeGraham]

As a long-time gymnastics fan (since 1972), this was a great video showing United States elite and Olympic leotards! Thousands of Swarovski crystals and pearls are lovely. (I wonder how they feel when they are against the beam or floor?) Great program, thank you.

[@smooshiebear80]

Anyone know which company designed the leotards for Brazil? They were just as stunning as these GK leotards are. I especially liked the variety with the necklines!

[@thebelissima64]

The outfits were designed by team member Jade Barbosa in collaboration with Ozone Leotards, a company from Knoxville, Tennessee.

[@scot60]

Loved theirs! The yellow and the seafoam green are my favorites. Love Rebecca Andrade. She’s so sweet, talented and humble.

[@idillard]

Kudos! Those leotards were amazing and looked so good on the women!

[@Defosaur]

the black leo and brazil's team finals one are some of my favorites!

[@m.e.5]

The Leo game’s just been elevating. Exceptional artistry and execution!

[@marinadean5706]

Finally somebody is talking about the sparkling leotards. I was mesmerized when I saw them. But to be fair, I loved the Brazilian ones, too. Solo beautiful ❤

[@KCNwokoye]

Stunning outfits. The best so far. They all look amazing. Oh by the way the men team won bronze and Simone and the rest of the amazing women team just won gold. Congrats to all those who helped them feel their best. They all looked joyful.

[@stellaalonzo5495]

Excellent job to all those that created this look. Our team looked beautiful !

[@VillaParkHearts]

Well done, GK! You're designs are so beautiful, we all want them! 🇺🇲💞💙

[@melindaostergren8115]

What a fascinating video! As a quilter and sewist I’d love to learn more about the technical aspects (and the machines!!) used to apply the crystals. Thank you for the video.

[@kellys9504]

Absolutely gorgeous! I especially love the slate suit worn in the qualification round🇺🇸🤍✨

[@janetg.]

Great job!!!! I thought they were stunning and loved them!!!!

[@MichelleWatsonLee]

The team finals leos were absolutely STUNNING 😍🤩

[@terryt.1643]

The gymnastics leotards are just dazzling. The ladies are absolutely gorgeous and are doing our country proud.

[@balletbeauty7421]

Keep this same EXACT team every Olympic cycle!! Nailed it ladies 😍

[@OptimisticKTV]

The ladies were absolutely beautiful. I love how intricate the leotards were this year. It's so beautiful. Y'all did a great job.

[@gb8518]

Gorgeous designs Congratulations to the company team to inspire Paris Olympic USA gymnastics athletes glamour.

[@user-mb8zl4hq4p]

Congrats on everything, they are truly done well some of the most beautiful ones displayed , designed go Team USA bring back as many medals as possible Gold, silver and bronze

[@gullinvarg]

Frankly, when I saw their podium training leos I thought they were a bit over the top with the crystals. I feel the same about the competition ones. Are they pretty, sure. These women don't need bedazzling though. Their skill should be the focus. This is nothing against the athletes. They're wearing what they were given. Personally, I would have preferred it if the style was more similar to the men's gymnastics style for the team uniforms.

[@ChessieChess]

Exactly, enough with the bling. The sparkles were distracting

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

This Olympic final competition leotard is the most elegant design. Others can sometimes be too much

[@CasieMillhouse]

Love this little piece on the leotards. Well done

[@jam1736]

You all did an amazing job!!

[@cashaetaylor7466]

Those leotards are 🔥🔥🔥. Extremely creative and artistic ❤❤❤ 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@sz7646]

and they did win gold today! Congrats girls

[@laceybanter5937]

Great work GK!

[@KXV237]

These leotards are absolutely stunning!!!

[@Irishrose5424]

you all did fantastic with the LEOS Gorgeous and elegant.

[@SP-ig3vs]

Absolutely Stunning to say the least!

[@ginafriend1690]

Lovely! Great job! 🇺🇸❤🥇

[@kuroneko7022]

I think all the women’s gymnast leotards were really beautiful but the US ones really stood out! ❤

[@tinkerbell716]

2:02 the guy with the baguette 😂

[@immastarseed4976]

I honestly think it could've been a better design. But i did like the black ones w the stars.

[@hintex487]

The Olympics gymnastics tumbling floor has turned into a dazzling fashion runway!

[@shelley4295]

Everyone of the leotards were well worth it.

[@nataliastyle]

The negative space star ⭐️ design was my fave. STUNNING 🤩 those girls went for gold

[@ShaunaCross1]

Love - making our athletes shine (even more : )

[@Jeanette-iw8un]

Question what if I don’t want my leotard to be a panty shap on the bottom ? Can it be made into shorts or thigh highs? Is that allowed in the Olympics? Or do all our asses have to be out ?

[@Xoxo033]

Definitely more noticeable this year … so pretty can’t wait to see the next ones

[@marilynh.]

Congrats to the fabulous designers for the beautiful attire they created for our USA 🇺🇸 teams.

[@evelynwald9132]

This was so interesting and the leotards you made were stunning. Those gymnasts looked classy and elegant! Now, how do you fit those designs on each of the girls so they look so perfect, that’s another art that would be interesting to learn about. ❤

[@bibittybobettyboo-uz2rf]

I love the fact that they took into account of where the Olympics are being held and paying tribute to what that city is known for yet still staying true to representing America.

[@stephaniedevolder9690]

Absolutely gorgeous! These costumes look like pageantry attire, so worthy of our elite Olympians. Thank you!

[@corelladoll2051]

I could tell these were something special before watching this. Interesting. Very well designed and made by professionals.

[@LashearahThomas]

This company just fired its 3 person customer service team with no notice. One lady was a year away from retirement. Other depts got cut too. Big changes coming for this company. CS is now being outsourced. What company would do this for only three people? Rotten way to treat your loyal long term employees. Dont praise this company too much. What was once a company in Reading PA will beutsourced completely soon. What a joke. Oh look how great we are! $3000 grand ea and we cant keep our CS team.

[@fleursicle]

the leos this year were INCREDIBLE - i esp. loved suni's!!

[@sbug2705]

Stunning leotards! ❤

[@suzannemcvicker617]

They're beautiful

[@timmothy58]

years of dedication and hard work...thank...love...

[@supperwelder]

This Olympics loes were absolutely stunning and extremely sparkly my 2 favorites were the negative stars ones and the team finals❤❤ the mens uniforms were awesome as well

[@brynneholt1990]

Whatever they cost, they’re worth it.

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

I watched Team USA unbox all their leotards and they were all truly stunning. I adore the one they chose to wear for team finals. I think it’s so awesome how unmistakably American they all looked while performing as a team. I also love the mostly blue or mostly red options they wore during the individual all around.

[@Snakeskii]

These are all so gorgeous! Great fabrication and design work!

[@DelphiaStrickland]

I don't understand why women's uniforms are so dressed up, the men's aren't. It's not a fashion competition. And why can't the women wear longer-length uniforms if they want to? Also, why do the women have to do all the dancey-type movements, when the men don't? They're not little dolls or ballerinas, but elite athletes.

[@harabiru727]

Really good job. Really beautiful

[@AnaSilviaOrtegaSaenz1]

The beauty of the leotards, goes well with the grace, beauty and outstandung performance of this elite team.

[@LilEagle2015]

Honestly they were stunning! Most beautiful I’ve ever seen! And they invoked such patriotism too! The girls shined in them.

[@barbarahammond8430]

I heard the presentation regarding the leotards and it was informative. My question still is do the ladies get to keep their uniforms or are they put in maybe the smithsonian?

[@b61020]

Thank you for shining bright lights on our amazing athletes so they look and feel like the stars that they are!

[@pattykassin7747]

They definitely made our teams shine 💎

[@TheJmoneyp]

I love these Leo's ICONIC!!!

[@margaretlee-reed814]

Did notice how gorgeous the leotards were this year!🎉

[@nilawarriorprincess]

I wondered who made them! Thanks for highlighting them.

[@angelahomicz1813]

Beautifully designed and made! Our athletes look fabulous ❤

[@kimiisland9802]

The nicest leotards ever! They are so beautiful. The black one Simone Biles wore at 3:22 and the one shown in the very end are the best ones.

[@bkirstie]

hmmmmmmm, can’t that money be donated? do they really need bedazzled leo’s?

[@jj-if6it]

We definitely notice all the crystals and work put into these! I wonder how they don't break though

[@darussianping61]

They are absolutely stunning leotards. Amazing sparkle. I love them❤

[@IfyEgb]

Wow! Great story, these leotards are absolutely stunning! 😍

[@stephmartin1148]

These are beautiful!!! My favorite!!!! 🤩 ❤️🇺🇸🤍🇺🇸💙

[@marysheehy4733]

Incredibly beautiful leotards on our beautiful team🎉

[@thehutch7728]

These leos were GORGEOUS! (Way better than the opening uniforms.)

[@g.pearson4726]

Documentary I didn’t know I needed The design and excision is gorgeous 🥰 Go TEAM USA ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻✊✨💕✨🇺🇸✨🫡

[@AmericanShiba]

I loved the strong theme of Patriotism in all the designs. They were beautiful and made sense. Some countries were hard to tell because the uniforms didn’t reflect their Country. Great job!!

[@CapeCodBelle]

Stunning!! I applaud you!!