The world's third-largest exporter, Uruguay offers wool that is traceable, 100% biodegradable and certified mulesing-free, while its Merino wool is one of the thinnest and globally renowned for its exceptional softness, providing natural thermoregulation and moisture-wicking properties.The men’s look feature custom made-to-measure Irving jackets and Sebastian pants, crafted under the highest standards of Italian sartorial tradition, finished with a 100% silk jacquard lining woven with a tonal motif of the national Coat of Arms emblem. Jackets are personalized with a hand-sewn interior patch embroidered with each player’s name alongside 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the commemorative significance of the garments. Players will wear lightweight ivory micro-merino Stendhal polos, selected for their softness, breathability, and climate suitability.
The executive team will be dressed in white Sea Island poplin shirts, complemented by navy silk twill ties featuring a tonal embroidery of the national emblem, while senior leadership, including managers and the President, will have the option of either a white shirt or a navy polo.
The women’s look echoes the same dedication to craftsmanship, featuring custom Angela blazers and Vesta pants with matching silk jacquard linings and personalized interior detailing, styled with silk satin tops and dark navy Hawes shoes.
The national team’s tailored uniform will be completed by a pair of custom Ohio sneakers, the first sustainable sneaker of the House. Its rubber soles are composed of 30% recycled materials, while its stitches are made of 30% recycled polyester certified by the Global Recycled Standard. 100% of the leather used for the Ohio is sourced from a Tannery Certified by the Leatherworking group, while the sole is assembled using water-based glue, which uses fewer chemicals than solvent-basedglue and is free from polyurethane. Players will wear white textured leather Ohio sneakers, while the executive team will wear navy nubuck Ohio sneakers. Each pair features tonal embroidery of the AUF initials on the tongue.
This partnership brings together Uruguay’s leading sporting figures and one of its most celebrated Uruguayan creatives, serving as a strategic platform to showcase Uruguayan craftsmanship and sustainability standards to a global audience.
“For the AUF, it is of great importance to have Gabriela join La Celeste. That a Uruguayan so recognized in the world of fashion is entrusted with officially outfitting us for the upcoming World Cup is a source of pride, and the fact that she does so using Uruguayan merino wool greatly highlights the work of Uruguayan agricultural producers. Football is just that—from the heart of Uruguay to the brightest runways in the world, with Uruguayan players as global ambassadors,” said Ignacio Alonso, President of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF).
“From the Uruguayan production sector, we feel this is a unique opportunity to show the world the quality of our products, which allow nature to be transformed sustainably into sophisticated, top-quality goods. We are very grateful to be part of this incredible initiative. The Uruguayan national football team is our crown jewel, and Gabriela is an outstanding ambassador,” said Rafael Normey, President of the Rural Federation.
“It is truly an honor to be able to participate in this project alongside the AUF. Not only because I am working with my favorite fiber, Uruguayan Merino wool, or with my national team, but because it is a great opportunity to demonstrate that Uruguayan values of quality, authenticity, and integrity deserve to be shared with the world. It has been a dream to work with the AUF and the national team. They are all superstars,” said Gabriela Hearst.
ABOUT THE URUGUAYAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (AUF)
The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) is the governing body of football in Uruguay and one of the most respected sporting institutions in the world, founded in 1900. It is the heart of La Celeste, bearing four stars that symbolize its rich footballing history. The AUF is dedicated to developing and promoting Uruguay’s exceptional talent on the global stage, upholding a sporting identity synonymous with grit, quality, tradition, and global influence.
Photography by Clara Cullen
ABOUT GABRIELA HEARST
Gabriela Hearst grew up on her family’s ranch in Uruguay, where the notion of luxury meant things were beautifully crafted and made to last which inspired the launch of her eponymous label in Fall 2015. She wanted a brand that reflected
purpose in every piece—luxury collections with a conscience, or “honest luxury”. Gabriela Hearst’s runway shows have been a pioneering example of sustainability, using deadstock fabrics, and eliminating plastic use. Her Spring Summer 2020
collection marked the first ever carbon neutral runway show.
She was the winner of the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize for Womenswear, 2018 recipient of the Pratt Institute Fashion Visionary Award, the 2020 CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year, 2021 recipient of the Frank Alvah Parsons Award, 2022 recipient of the Infinity Trustees Award by the International Center of Photography, and was selected as one of the five Honorees in the Environment category among the fifteen Leaders of Change at the British Fashion Council’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 Fashion Awards.
In December 2020, she was named Creative Director at Chloé. In 2021, she was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women of 2021 by the Financial Times. In 2023, she was honored with the 2023 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion by The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT (MFIT). In March 2024, TIME announced Gabriela Hearst as one of the honorees of the 2024 TIME Earth Awards, which recognizes individuals influencing the future of the planet through their work on climate justice, awareness, and activism. Most recently, she was included in the inaugural list of National Geographic 33 which honors 33 changemakers whose ideas, influence and drive are shaping a better future for our planet.
