Ryan Seacrest launches Rio-appropriate sportswear collection inspired by the Olympics

Cool, hip and fun. That’s how media mogul Ryan Seacrest describes his new menswear collection inspired by the upcoming summer Olympic Games and Olympic host city Rio de Janeiro.

The 13-piece Distinction Rio collection that launched in mid-June, available at Macy’s stores and macys.com, includes a $135 color-blocked bomber jacket; $50 V-neck T-shirt; $60 cotton shorts; $150 casual knit blazer; $60 microfiber drawstring swim trunks; a $195 gray duffle bag; $60 polo shirts; $58 navy espadrilles; and a $42 straw fedora. It’s all a departure from his ongoing Ryan Seacrest Distinction line of business wear such as suits and suit separates that run anywhere from $150 to $695, $69.50 French cuff button-down shirts and $59.50 silk ties. And what are his favorite pieces from Distinction Rio?

“I love the fedora,” says Seacrest during a recent phone interview. He’s also a fan of the Rio Distinction shorts because they have a comfortable fit, he says.

In strategic terms, introducing the Rio Distinction collection helps create synergy for his brand and upcoming TV appearances. Seacrest will be the host for NBC’s late-night Olympics coverage from Rio de Janeiro. The Summer Olympics begin Aug. 5 and end Aug. 21.

And with his many jobs, just how hands-on was Seacrest, who’s also a radio host and executive producer of E!’s “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” which is also part of the NBCUniversal family, in creating this new clothing collection?

“I sewed every piece,” Seacrest says, jokingly.

Actually, Seacrest says he was involved in the early stages for the collection’s overall vision. And he helped select what pieces would make the cut and tried on the various pieces as his team designed them.

He says the Rio-inspired selections, in general, aren’t limited to a specific demographic but are instead intended to be comfortable summer wear for men of all ages — whether they’re in their early 40s like Seacrest, or younger or older.

Although these summertime pieces will have a limited run, Seacrest says he is considering creating a more permanent sportswear line in the future.

But what he’s certain about is that he’s looking forward to being a host of NBCUniversal’s broadcast of the Olympics. That’s because not only it is one of the most-watched events on TV, but also it’s a chance to tell the stories of the athletes and their families.

“To me, it’s not about the scores,” he says. “It’s about our athletes.”