Shaniko Wool Company partners with Ralph Lauren for Olympic uniforms
SHANIKO, Ore. (KTVZ) — Ralph Lauren has unveiled the official Opening and Closing Ceremony uniforms for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams for the Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The uniforms feature wool sourced from the Shaniko Wool Company, based in Maupin, Ore.
Lauren has served as the Official Outfitter for Team USA since 2008. All apparel worn by U.S. athletes during the official Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies is manufactured in the United States through partnerships with local manufacturers and materials providers.
The 2026 uniforms feature several pieces made from wool provided by Shaniko Wool Company. This includes the toggle coat, pants, sweater, mittens and earflap hat for the Opening Ceremony. The Oregon-based company also provided wool for the sweaters and beanies used in the Closing Ceremony.
Shaniko Wool Company was founded in 2018 by Dan and Jeanne Carver. The company is based in Maupin, Ore., and operates as a collection of family ranches across the American West. It currently serves as a primary U.S. source of American Merino wool certified under the Responsible Wool Standard.
The company's roots trace back to the Imperial Stock Ranch, which was established in north central Oregon in 1871. In 1999, the Carvers developed a new business model by selling wool directly to textile brands that prioritized land stewardship and transparency. The Imperial Stock Ranch became the first ranch in the world to receive the Responsible Wool Standard certification in 2017.
Founders Dan and Carver have emphasized a focus on environmental outcomes through their work. "Our mission remains simple: to see the land win, while delivering responsibly grown wool to the world," the company stated regarding its objectives.
The wool used in the uniforms is 100% transparent and carries a double NATIVA Regen and Responsible Wool Standard certification. The company uses regenerative farming practices intended to maintain healthy ecosystems and soil health.
The founders described their long-term approach to land management as essential for the future of the industry. "Sustainability is more than a trend for us—it's been a way of life for decades and necessary to ensure our future on the land as stewards of its soil, water, grasslands and the grazing animals vital to its health," the company stated.
The history of the ranch and the Carvers' work in the textile industry is documented at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum. In 2025, the museum opened a permanent exhibit titled "A Sense of Place" that covers the formation of Shaniko Wool Company and the legacy of the Imperial Stock Ranch.
The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are scheduled for 2026. Team USA athletes will wear the Lauren uniforms during the official Opening and Closing ceremonies.
