Saskatchewan designer, jeweller see work featured at the 2026 Olympics in Italy

Stephanie Schmidt knows how to train like an athlete, and she also knows how to design for them.

The Regina designer helped create Team Canada’s curling uniforms for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy. Schmidt created the jersey’s alongside Shelby Gagnon, a Métis artist from Thunder Bay.

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Schmidt began working on the project when she won the bid for the designs almost two years ago.

“We were so invested in making sure that we were telling stories about the athletes, stories about Canada, working to make sure that every detail was really polished and very carefully considered,” Schmidt said.

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“By the time it was unveiled, we felt so good about it.”

Schmidt’s designs have been featured at major curling competitions in the past, like the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Montana’s Brier and the world curling championships.

She currently throws rocks with Team Thevenot’s rink.

Schmidt said she began the design process thinking about how one of her friends and competitors may get to wear her design as an Olympian.

“There was a little bit of pressure of making sure that I’m telling the athlete’s story and the hero’s journey, and really emphasizing the effort and sacrifice the athletes put in for this,” she said.

Schmidt and Gagnon wanted to come up with a symbol on the jerseys to represent the athletes’ trials and tribulations, landing on the hummingbird.

The hummingbird is featured on the sleeve of the the jersey. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

“I know that’s a little bit of an unexpected choice,” she said.

“But the more we dug into it, the more we were just mesmerized with this little bird who had a four-year lifespan, which is identical to an Olympic cycle. They are able to fly through treacherous conditions, and just despite their size, their strength is just so remarkable.”

She’ll get a chance see how her jerseys look on the ice up close, as she’s travelling to Italy to see Team Canada compete.

Hillberg & Berk is bringing the bling

A well-known Regina-based jewellery company inked a deal to become Canada’s official Olympic jewellery partner.

Hillberg & Berk has created around 2,000 rings for Team Canada’s athletes.

CEO and founder Rachel Mielke said the company has produced rings for three of the past four Olympics.

“It’s a big moment for us,” she said.

“Although we’ve had these connections to Team Canada, to have this partnership at this scale is is really monumental. Across our whole business, everyone is so thrilled.”

Mielke said different Canadian athletes have had a special connection with the brand for many years, with some wearing their jewllery while competing.

“There’s been these pinnacle moments over the years, where athletes have chosen Hillberg & Berk as the symbol of of luck and strength and unity,” she said.

Mielke said the brand was able to exercise a bit of creativity through its Olympic jewellery line, and 12 per cent of sales from the line were returned to Team Canada.

Mielke said she was so pleased to send $50,000 back to the team through the sales.