As part of the continued collaboration between Nike and Givenchy’s creative director Riccardo Tisci the brand introduces NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined a collection which marries Tisci’s creative vision with Nike’s innovative materials and sport knowledge.
“This collection represents an entirely new way of thinking for Riccardo,” says NikeLab Senior Design Director Jarrett Reynolds. “It is engineered for performance, which is unfamiliar territory for him. But that’s the beauty of collaboration — we can help bring Riccardo into the world of sport performance, which is our expertise. On the other hand, Riccardo’s vision pushed our design to a place we wouldn’t have arrived at on our own.”
Inspired by athletes training for the summer’s ultimate competition, the collection employs Nike performance technologies such as Dri-FIT and Flyknit and introduces the NikeLab Kaleidoscope Dri-FIT 2-in-1 Short x RT which blends the performance of full-length tights with the styling of shorts.
“It was interesting…a little bit of a difficult process because to make something that is very dynamic, to do sport and to do activity, and make it strongly recognizable — a fashion statement — is not easy,” Tisci says. “But we achieved something that’s amazing. There’s a lot of sensuality.”
The NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined collection will be released in two unique capsule collections with strikingly different aesthetics. The first features a signature Tisci black and white color palette. The second is highlighted by a unique juxtaposition of floral and kaleidoscope prints. The floral print includes flowers from Oregon, the home of Nike; Taranto, Italy, the home of Tisci; and Rio de Janeiro, the home of the summer Olympic Games.
The NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined collection will arrive in July 2016, with a second release scheduled the following month. Sign up at nike.com/nikelab to be notified when the collection goes on sale.
