Football x Fashion: The Game's Best Collabs
Football may be the most popular sport in the world thanks to its stars and their athletic prowess – skills sometimes indistinguishable from art. Still, you can't discount the popularity of the teams’ kits as a significant drawcard too. As the European season draws to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on current (and recent) kits that captured our hearts with drip alone, regardless of the team’s on-field success.
In the past five years there has been a noticeable increase in the presence of designer labels and streetwear brands on the football pitch. And the convergence of football and fashion has been a pleasure to witness. Just as football has influenced the world of fashion and streetwear, these two realms have also impacted the beautiful game. Fashion houses like Balenciaga and Dolce & Gabbana have put their unique spin on jerseys while at the same time, Hector Bellerin strutted down the runway at Louis Vuitton's Paris Fashion Week show a few years back. Moreover, numerous brands have joined football clubs and their kit suppliers to create special co-branded gear. Notably, PSG alone has engaged in almost a dozen streetwear collaborations.
GAME ON
Here’s our round-up of the best on-the-pitch collaborations and some notable mergers between fashion and football over the last few years...
PSG x Jordan (2008 to present)
Although Jordan is primarily a sportswear brand associated with basketball, it stepped into new territory by collaborating with PSG. The brand’s shirts and lifestyle collections for PSG have been highly sought after since its introduction, even though they closely resemble Nike, Jordan’s parent company.
Real Madrid x Yohji Yamamoto (2014/15)
The first fashion designer to venture into football shirt design was this acclaimed Japanese designer who created a dragon-themed number for Real Madrid.
Adidas x Pharrell x Human Race (2020/21)
This trio combined to reinvent iconic shirts from Adidas' elite clubs at the time, reimagining them with a hand-painted aesthetic. Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid sported these shirts in matches, while English clubs Arsenal and Man U did not.
Napoli x Kappa x Marcela Bulon (2020/21)
An Argentinian-born designer combined his signature feathered graphic with Kappa's famously tight-fitting shirts, offering a fresh colourway for these Napoli kits.
AC Milan x Puma x Nemen (2021/22)
Milanese brand Nemen, known for redirecting styles, techniques, and materials towards new aesthetics and applications, faced substantial criticism for their AC Milan shirt in this genre. However, they remained true to their vision.
Real Madrid x Y-3 (2021/22)
Y-3, the long-standing collaboration between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto, returned with a monochromatic approach, showcasing the Y-3 logo instead of Adidas' on the shirt.
Ajax x Adidas x Daily Paper (2022/23)
Daily Paper, a brand from the same city as Ajax, teamed up with Adidas to create the club's gold third kit and an intriguingly patterned training range.
Monaco x Kappa x Drôle de Monsieur (2022/23)
The French brand effectively captured the essence of Monte Carlo using a luxurious colour palette and a diamond motif on both the tracksuit and match shirt. Including the Drôle de Monsieur monogram beneath the Kappa Omini logo added an unexpected touch.
AS Roma x New Balance x Aries (2022/23)
AS Roma's collaboration with New Balance and Aries incorporated subtle tie-dye effects, which paid homage to the club's iconic colours, with gold accents making reference to the city's history and culture. Aries imbued the collection with its distinctive style while keeping the club's identity at the forefront.
ON-FIELD VS. OFF-FIELD STYLE
While on-field merch is definitely where the bulk of collaborations happen, there are also more lifestyle-oriented collabs that have cemented football and fashion’s merging as a lucrative industry.
Juventus x Palace x Adidas (2019)
This venture into streetwear was an exciting collaboration involving London's epic skate brand, Palace. Adidas joined as a three-way partner by adding a more athletic touch to the design. The collection encompasses a wide range of footballing essentials, including goalkeeper gloves and soccer balls, catering to all aspects of the game.
Arsenal x Stella McCartney (2022)
Renowned designer Stella McCartney took centre stage when she created an exclusive and limited-edition collection for this prominent Premier League club. While featuring a handful of unisex items, the line mainly caters to female Arsenal enthusiasts. (Perfect if you aim to convert someone into a devoted fan.) The distinct Stella leopard print boldly adorns the shirts, while the collection incorporates recycled materials in true McCartney style. As eccentric additions, the running shoes and backpack capture the essence and vibrancy of this captivating collection.
Inter Milan x Moncler (2022/23)
The intersection of football and fashion is beautifully blurred in a remarkable and somewhat overlooked collaboration between a brand and a club. Inter Milan and Moncler joined forces to create a captivating capsule collection that pays homage to the excellence of Milan. Within this collection, turtlenecks, beanies, and scarves seamlessly integrate the Inter Milan motif, resulting in a harmonious, Italian-inspired ensemble.
Kasi Flavour (ongoing)
On the local front, Kasi Flavour definitely understands the intimate connection between sport, fashion and culture. The brainchild of Kabelo Kungwane, the brand is heavily inspired by South African football heritage. It has created several memorable pieces, including artful reinterpretations of the winning AFCON 1996 kit, paying tribute to a storied sporting tradition while producing something clean and contemporary.
Whatever your favourite league or team, there's no shortage of stylish options to support – pick your best fit and make a statement.
Words by Tshiamo Seape