NIKELAB COLLABORATION SACAI
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
With multiple brands’ collaborations all across the fashion scene, the variety of explosively imaginative creations seems endless and as exciting as it has ever been.
And this time, it is NikeLab’s turn to shine!
As the ultra influential sports brand puts it, “NikeLab is a platform for creative exploration, driving new and unexpected outcomes through collaboration.”
Teaming up with Japanese designer Chitose Abe, creative director of Sacai, this year’s collection has most certainly surpassed everyone wildest expectations.
The Tokyo based creative is well known for her distinctive approach to design. Her work is daring and thought provoking and her aesthetics lay on strong a foundation of ludicrous deconstruction and unparalleled avant-garde use of materials.
“My collections are based purely on my creative instincts. Maybe I’m an idealist, but I am a firm believer that if you’re producing well-designed products at the right price that your business is destined to flourish. I’m happy that Sacai feels like something new, that’s different to anything else… of course, I always feel that there is so much more to do ” Chitose explained.
It is not surprising that, with such a strong work ethic, the talented designer owns 100% of the company herself. This has given her unlimited creative and executive freedom, which has been essential for her personal artistic fulfillment and the commercial success of the label.
“I always knew I wanted to be in charge of my own business, I never want to be told what to do! I have 12 employees these days, but I still do everything myself—doing the payroll, going to the bank,” said Chitose.
Praised by big names like Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld, it wasn’t a shock to see brands like Nike wanting to have a taste of the magical excitement that Chitose brings into each creation.
“At Nike we study the body in motion. Abe’s aesthetic and design sensibility naturally aligned with this focus and together we explored how to best express this notion during the development and material selection process. Abe’s unique take on movement re-contextualized the Windrunner in a completely new and unexpected way. It’s her fluidity and strength to her work that we feel is perfectly encapsulated within this collection. The garments come to life as the wearer walks and moves, expressing both beauty and strength. We feel it’s a perfect marriage between sport and style,” said Nike Creative Director Kurt Parker.
The collection is an exquisite display of a carefully selected palette of earthy and eye-catching acid colours, mixed with seamless techno-fabrics that contrasts seductively against delicate pleats and ruffles. The whole assemblage comprises eight exuberant pieces that fuses traditional sports wear design with playfully feminine touches. The result is an iconic collection of utterly desirable neoteric hybrids, all ready to be matched with irresistibly energetic slip-on leather Air Max sneakers.
Go on! Have a look yourself. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Text: Andrea Ruprat
