A Horse Between Art, Fashion Design and Sport

At the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the snow became a stage for visual expression. Haiti’s Olympic uniforms drew worldwide attention as exceptional examples of sportswear elevated into art in motion.

Created by Italian-Haitian fashion designer Stella Jean, the uniforms are deeply rooted in the aesthetics of Haitian art. Each garment is hand-painted, transforming functional athletic clothing into a mobile canvas where craftsmanship and storytelling take center stage.

Edouard Duval-Carrié, Toussaint Louverture (2006). Figge Art Museum

The imagery traces back to a painting by Haitian-born American artist Edouard Duval-Carrié, whose work inspired the original concept. Duval-Carrié is also preparing to represent Haiti at this year’s Venice Biennale, often described as the “Olympics of the art world,” underscoring the powerful intersection of global art and global sport.

Just weeks before the Games’ opening ceremony on February 6 in Milan, Olympic officials ruled out the inclusion of revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture on the uniforms. What followed was a creative sprint against time, resulting in a radically reimagined design — a fully hand-painted uniform, the first of its kind in the Winter Olympics’ century-long history.

At the heart of the final design stands the red horse. Once conceived with a rider, it now appears alone — a potent symbol of vitality, independence, and forward momentum. Its presence aligns strikingly with the Year of the Red Horse, lending the image an added dimension of renewal and symbolic synchronicity.

For those drawn to equestrian symbolism, the horse transcends ornamentation. It embodies endurance, power, and spirit — a motif deeply embedded in both artistic tradition and athletic pursuit.

Haiti’s Olympic uniforms ultimately remind us that sport is not only about competition. It can also serve as a platform for cultural storytelling, historical awareness, and creative expression.