The official uniform for the Australian Paralympic team has been unveiled at Australian Fashion Week, featuring accessibility modifications created in collaboration with the team.

With Paris 2024 just over 100 days away, the formal uniforms and competition kits were revealed.

Accessibility features include magnetic fasteners instead of buttons on jackets, elasticised waistbands for both chinos and shorts, as well as zippers in place of shoelaces on some sneakers.

This is the first time that an Australian Paralympic uniform has incorporated universal accessibility modifications.

“When you’re at a Paralympic Games, you need to put all your energy into your performance,” para-triathlete Lauren Parker said.

For Parker, who aims to also compete in para-cycling in Paris, the addition of a zipper in the shoes is of particular importance.

“To allow the shoes to slip on, rather than have to spend time pulling them on, it just makes everything easy,” she said.

Kate McLoughlin, long time Chef de Mission for the Australian team, says athletes were involved in the design stages. 

“Our athletic commission was instrumental in this process,” McLoughlin said.

“We had [input from] athletes from a variety of different sports, a variety of different impairments as well, just to make sure they were comfortable and excited about what the uniform was looking like.”

Although there had been some bespoke modifications to Australian uniforms of Games gone by, Paris 2024 will be the first time that accessibility features are universal to the range.

“Different people with different abilities can participate, wear the uniform, and have no extra stress,” McLoughlin said.

Boccia world number one and two-time Paralympian Dan Michel says it’s his favourite uniform yet.

“It’s very understated but still bold in its representation of Australia,” Michel said.

The ceremonial wear, particularly, is a stylistic departure from previous uniforms, with the earthy green and almost sandy gold a homage to the Australian landscape.

Back again, is The Journey, an artwork by Yuin woman Rheanna Lotter.

This piece has featured on every Paralympic kit since it was first introduced in 2016, and this year, emblazons the lining of the ceremonial jackets.