Nike creates football celebration jerseys with Yoon Ahn, Christelle Kocher, Erin Magee and Marine Serre

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
May 29, 2019

Nike has teamed up with four female designers, among the most watched in contemporary fashion, to create a range of football jerseys for this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. The competition kicks off in France on June 7, with the final in Paris on July 7.

 
In a novel move, Nike partnered with Yoon Ahn, Christelle Kocher, Erin Magee and Marine Serre to transform jerseys into hip yet utilitarian items ahead of the opening matches.
 
Yoon Ahn, the Korean-American LVMH finalist who designs men’s jewelry for Kim Jones at Christian Dior, has been linked with the sportswear giant before with their Nike x Ambush. For this latest match-up, Yoon created  a unisex hybrid football jersey inspired by the Happi coat, a traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat.

“I chose the Happi coat because, although we are celebrating the tournament and the incredible female players, I believe it is just as important for the fans, for everyone to have a universal piece to celebrate in,” said the designer.
 
While Kocher, who once themed a runway collection as a homage to Paris St Germain, France’s leading team, concentrated on providing the feeling of movement and positive energy. “I created this dress by reconstructing the soccer jersey around the female body. The result is a dress that can be worn by a girl who plays, dances or moves in the city,” said Kocher, who dreamed up a loose frock with great bold graphic and Koché logo crest.
 
Erin Magee, the former designer at Supreme, celebrated the American team, known as USWNT,  “by drawing attention to the woman namesake of the iconic sportswear company itself: Nike the Goddess of Victory.” Her Nike Stadium jersey features the USA federation crest. While Marine Serre developed a slender, articulated jersey to be worn over a printed body suit.

 
All told, a set of jerseys that supports and celebrates brilliant performance. The FIFA Women’s World Cup’s opening game is scheduled for Friday, June 7 at 9 p.m. in the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris when France will play the Republic of Korea. May the games, and the fashion, begin.