Nike Sportswear x Delta Netherlands Team Kit

Graffiti artist Delta, aka Boris Tellegen, has created a geometric world with his art that is a colorful reflection of the constructivist movement that brings to mind both block-like cities as well as pixelized digital environments. A rabid football fan, he was especially excited to play with the colorways on The Netherlands’ new kits. His artwork for the assortment is an extension of his blocky visual language: The boxy mascot is a simple-yet-dynamic running man, the crest is a cubic puzzle of numbers, and the font is unlike anything before it – heavy as concrete, but somehow agile through its italicized forwardlean.

Six Collaborations spawned from Nike Sportswear’s desire to celebrate the beautiful game of football in a way that connects to the national team fans who dwell at the intersection of sports and culture. In 2006, Nike collaborated with a group of artists to curate and design environments and spaces that represented their countries, but there was no product connection to this partnerships. This year, Nike worked with established and emerging artists from six countries to create alternative National Team Kits that flip the script on the classic football kit. “We wanted to include the kinds of apparel and accessories that would be in a footballers bag,” “They would be the same colors of on-field uniforms, but with the artists’ twists.” says Jarrett Reynolds, Nike Sportswear Apparel Design Director. In order to accomplish this, the Nike team asked artists contribute a badge, mascot, print and an alphabet in their handwriting style. Each collaboration includes N98 Track Jacket, AW 77 hoodie, kit tee, polo shirt and short for both men and women; then tee for men and tank for women.