Come on England!
World Cup Fashion Fever
Fashion and football has always had a strong relationship. From the label loving hooligans of the Eighties to the spoilt designer-pant-wearing adonises of today, fashion has always been linked to the beautiful game. And where there’s football, there’s money, so no wonder then, every fashion or sports company this side of Cape Town is getting in on World Cup fever.
Maradona, Pelé and Zidane are featured playing foosball in the new Louis Vuitton adverts, Calvin Klein has produced a range of pants with the flag of each country sewn into them (My-wardrobe informs me the Brazilian ones have been sellling like hot cakes so now you know who people are really supporting!) and Umbro has done a unique take by redesigning each country’s crest.
Even if you have four lions on your shirt - which you should! - it doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the aesthetic values of the other teams designs. Here is a round up of the best kit out there. Come on England!
To win a trip to the World Cup - Click Here
Ralph Lauren Mesh Polo - £100
French Connection George Best, Pele and Bobby Moore World Cup Shirts - £25
Paul Smith Jeans has introduced a capsule collection of polo T-shirts honouring five leading participating nations; England, Brazil, France, Germany and Italy. Each t-shirt reflects the county’s signature team colour and features an embroidered zebra in the flag colours. A striped trim and collar completes the polo shirt.
£70
Danish brand Hummel has produced old school style zip tops and low slim stadil trainers in red, white & blue (France); black, red & yellow (Germany); red & white (England); and bright green & yellow (Brazil); red, green & white (Italy)
Low stadil trainers - £40
Old school tops - £50
For stockists call 0208 275 1170
Umbro has released the World Champions Collection. This inspired football range has been designed in collaboration with some of the hottest international artists, each hailing from one of the seven nations that have ever won the tournament. The twist in the brief to them was to base their design on the tailored silhouette of the Umbro England home shirt.
The England shirt collaboration has been designed with Ben Eine, one of England’s most prominent street artists and graffiti pioneers. ““I wanted to do something very traditional, something regal from the days of shining knights and Tudor roses. I wanted to show England as a strong, solid and brave team,” said Ben. This is translated into a bold, beautifully detailed red crest printed onto the classic, white England home shirt. In France, Umbro chose to work with graffiti artist, now turned international fashion authority and club owner, Andre. Thomas Marecki (Marok) is a designer, artist and publisher from Berlin, set up Lodown Magazine in 1995, which is now one of the most influential graphic design and pop culture magazines in the world. Umbro were thrilled t o collaborate with him on the German shirt and crest design. In Argentina, Umbro connected with Buenos Aires based record label, ZZK Records. Brazil’s remarkable achievement of winning five times, is celebrated through Umbro’s collaboration with Fernando Chamarelli, an illustrator, visual artist and tattoo designer from Sao Paolo. Umbro contacted Italian comics author, illustrator and artist Tanino Liberatore to design the Italian collections shirt. “My crest design celebrates Italy’s long history of gladiatorial athletes and their spiritual home. It is an analogy of our team going in to battle to defend the World Cup they won in 2006. In Uruguay Umbro teamed up with Martin Albronoz, a mixed media artist from Montevideo. Working across photography, painting and graphics Martin created a crest commemorating Uruguay’s legendary 1950 World Cup victory over Brazil.
Available from Selfridges - £70 for the Limited Edition box (including poster of all the crests signed by the artists, the shirt, story booklet about the inspiration behind each design and a crest pin badge).
Think of England Tee - £10
Bulldog 66 Tee - £10
Umbro 1970 Mexico World Cup Jersey - £40
Fred Perry Japan Shirt - £60
Polo Ralph Lauren Blue Italy Cap - £35
Nike Dutch N98 Men’s Football Track Jacket - £50
Nike US Away Shirt - You can personalise with your name and number - £60
Figleaves Slogan Refuse To Lose T-Shirt - £22
Go retro - adidas Originals - The adidas Sweden Track Top is inspired by the style worn by the national football team at the 1978 FIFA World Cup - £60
