Tuesday, June 15, 2010

FIFA & Fashion

On June 11th, South Africa kicked of the 19th World Cup. Fans anxiously waited for the biggest sporting event in the world and apparently so did fashion. Designer Yohj Yamamoto looked to soccer player Zinedine Zidan for inspiration for his Adidas Y-3 spring/summer 2010 collection (watch the show here) and as expected Ralph Lauren polos can be found World Cup ready. Athletic brands such as Nike & Puma stocked up on international paraphernalia but some stores are providing more options for for the more feminine fans as well.

Fashion's involvement with sports should come as no surprise being an industry influenced by music, art, politics and so on but some brands are stepping out of the box and using this years World Cup as a way to keep fashionistas on the ball. This year BEBE launched a World Cup ad campaign featuring models playing in pieces from their collection.


LF stores have tees for 32 nations that they styled off the shoulder and paired with a cut off denim, Pretty Ballerina is prepared with patriotic ballerina flats and for the more fashion forward Christian Louboutin's tri color peep toe pump features soccer spirit.


But which designer has the most spirit? Louis Vuitton. They have launched "An Encounter With Greatness" ad campaign featuring Zidane, Pele and Mardonna, designed a monogrammed soccer ball duffel bag perfect for carrying all of this summer must haves and will light up your wrist with white gold and diamond soccer charms. Most importantly LV will literally take the trophy home in a 18ct gold custom travel case that was unveiled by the catwalk queen Naomi Campbell. I would have never expected fashion and FIFA to have so much in common but they have defintely taken a step in the right direction.