Off-White's Virgil Abloh designs a new Nike collection entitled 'Athlete in Progress' and it is made to celebrate the confidence and determination of runners. The collection features a selection of performance goods as well as apparel and footwear that are ready for the streets.
To showcase the designs, Abloh fathered athletes to walk on the Off-White Spring/Summer 2019 runway show -- some include Dina Asher-Smith, English Gardner, Nafi Thiam, Catherin Ibarguen, Cecilia Yeung, and more. Abloh states, “I started talking with Nike about this women’s running project last summer and at the time, I was very much inspired by the aesthetic and style of track and field athletes. As a result, I invited some of Nike’s elite track and field champions to participate in my SS19 Off-White™ runway show as the natural forerunner to developing and showcasing the collection.”
Image Credit: Nike
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Streetwear-informed Sportswear
- Opportunity for brands to incorporate streetwear aesthetics into their sportswear collections.
- Performance Goods for Street Style
- Increasing demand for athletic apparel and footwear that can transition seamlessly from performance to streetwear.
- Collaboration Between Fashion and Athletics
- Potential for innovative collaborations between fashion designers and athletic brands to create unique products for athletes.
Where This Applies
- Fashion
- Fashion brands can explore opportunities to incorporate athletic elements into their designs and appeal to a wider consumer base.
- Sportswear
- Sportswear brands can capitalize on the growing trend of streetwear-inspired designs to attract younger consumers.
- Athletic Footwear
- Opportunity for athletic footwear brands to create performance shoes with streetwear aesthetics, catering to the needs of both athletes and fashion-conscious consumers.
