- The Winter Olympics opening ceremony aired Friday night on NBC.
- There were a number of memorable outfits, including that of the flag bearer for New Zealand.
- Beau-James Wells, a freestyle skier, wore a fur cape to the opening ceremony.
- This fashion moment got the internet talking.
- The cape, however, holds a special meaning in New Zealand.
The Pyeongchang 2018 opening ceremony aired Friday night, giving fans a peak at the athletes who will be vying for the gold over the next few weeks. Throughout the Parade of Nations, in which delegations walk through the stadium, people on Twitter were commenting on the various outfits at the opening ceremony — from Team USA's suede fringe gloves to the Tonga flag bearer's oil-soaked abs (yes friends, he's back.)
But there was one country's outfit that got people all over the globe talking: that of New Zealand's flag bearer Beau-James Wells, who wore what looked like a fur cape to the opening ceremony.
People were obsessed with the cape, as it stood out among a sea of standard uniforms.
The New Zealand flag bearer is winning the #OpeningCeremony right now with that amazing fur cape.
— Kyle Kinney (@kinnsanity0317) February 10, 2018
Oh that New Zealand flag bearer can get it #PyongChang2018
— Andrea Williams (@AndreaDubya88) February 10, 2018
The New Zealand flag bearer did not come to play games in that cape #OpeningCeremonypic.twitter.com/VxuE1F2kMS
— Marla Shepard (@MarlaDShepard) February 10, 2018
I like that feather cloak you got there New Zealand flag bearer.
— Neal Christyson (@NChristyson) February 10, 2018
New Zealand flag bearer with the fur pelt. Yes sir!
— Kristyn Hale (@KristynHale) February 10, 2018
In the midst of swooning over the cape (and, in some cases, the man beneath it), people may have overlooked its significance. The "cape" is actually a Māori feather cloak, which is traditional dress of the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand, according to the Museum of New Zealand.
This is clearly a very special Olympics for Wells. Not only was he chosen to carry the team's flag, but he is one of many sets of siblings competing in the Winter Olympics. Wells and his two brothers, Jackson and Byron, will be competing in the freestyle skiing competition.
But clearly, catching the eye of millions will be the highlight of his time in South Korea.
Want more? Read all of our coverage of the Winter Olympics here.
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SEE ALSO: WINTER OLYMPICS: Here are the biggest moments from the opening ceremony
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