The Nike x Martine Rose Colab
For the third time, Nike and British-Jamaican menswear designer Martine Rose are teaming up to present a gender-fluid collection. The line will be released in a few weeks to coincide with the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In an interview with WWD, Rose said she wants to make women feel empowered, strong, resilient and beautiful. The collection will include a player’s suit jacket, trousers, trenchcoat, shirt, shoes and accessories. In their first two collaborations, it’s evident Rose played it safe and added hints of her own creative fashion. As for this year’s, she has completely taken the wheel and changed the idea of what sportswear is supposed to be.
With a strong influence of football culture in Rose's work, the fusion of her distinctive style with Nike's is poised to captivate. The groundbreaking collection promises to be revolutionary as Nike dives into inclusive apparel. This collaboration is expected to ignite a sense of inspiration among fans, emphasizing the importance of sports over gender distinctions.
Martine Rose’s SS23 Twisted Football T-shirt Source: Farfetch
In contrast to their initial collaboration in 2018, this year's collaboration showcases a more fitted aesthetic, highlighting the delightful evolution of both brands' creativity as they continue to collaborate. While the collection subtly echoed Rose's signature football inspiration, Nike's timeless oversized fit ultimately dominated the project. Compared to 2018’s collaboration, this year Martine’s signature is on a majority of the pieces, while Nike focused on the tailoring. Rose definitely played it safe with this being her first time collaborating with Nike and followed what are classics.
Track jacket from the 2018 Martine Rose x Nike collaboration. Model: N/A Source: Nike
As their collaborative journey progressed from a focus on baggy aesthetics and the evolution of creativity, Rose and Nike's partnership took an exciting turn in their second collaboration. Their second collaboration reworked the classic Air Monarch IV. What differs from the original is that hers is deformed with the Nike logo somewhat sunken in. She introduced exaggerated and asymmetric elements, such as oversized tongues and skewed lacing systems, which defied the shoe's original design while simultaneously paying homage to its heritage. The bubblegum pink color may be hard to wear, but would be a fire shoe to wear during the spring and summer. The matching colored laces is a perfect addition to bring more attention on the overall shape.
The Martine Rose x Nike Air Monarch IV released on Jan. 12, 2019. Source: GOAT
The 2023 collaboration is a huge stepping stone for both brands because they’re reimagining football dress code while celebrating gender fluidity. The collaboration showcases a harmonious blend of Nike's innovative designs and Rose's distinctive style, creating a unique and thought-provoking range of apparel and footwear. One notable aspect of this collaboration is the emphasis on bold and unconventional silhouettes. Rose's signature oversized and exaggerated proportions are integrated into classic Nike pieces, adding a fresh and avant-garde twist to familiar sportswear staples.
Nike x Martine Rose 2023 Source: Hypebae
In terms of footwear, the collaboration showcases a mix of reimagined classics and innovative new designs. Rose’s rework of the Shox Mule MR 4 showcases the blend of fashion-forward elements with sporty functionality, appealing to sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts.
The Nike and Martine Rose collaboration for 2023 is an exciting partnership that challenges conventions and pushes the boundaries of traditional sportswear. It seamlessly blends Nike's technical expertise with Rose's visionary aesthetic. The collection is visually captivating and culturally relevant, serving as a testament to the power of redefining the expectations of what athletic apparel can be.