Nike Collaborates With Creatives on Its First Russia-Themed Collection, "Football Korobka"

Ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Nike teamed up with a group of creatives for its first-ever Russia-themed soccer collection. Dubbed “Football Korobka,” the special range celebrates the raw expression of the sport by looking at the Korobka streetball courts found throughout the nation.

Serving as lead designer and curator of the collaborative project is Dmitriy Oskes, who is known as a pioneer of Russian street culture and co-founder of interactive exhibition project FACES&LACES. Key youth figures like Vsevolod Cherepanov of SEVER, international DJ CYBER69, Moscow concept store BELIEF and creative community ZULUWARRIOR also offer their interpretation of soccer in Russia. With an array of design sensibilities, Nike’s Dri-FIT Technology, advanced mesh material and “Football Korobka” text elements serve to unify the collection.

FACES&LACES co-founder Dmitriy Oskes interpreted “Football Korobka” in a radial-ring form motif, representing an abstract connection of moving players and the growing Moscow landscape. Additionally, bright red Cyrillic “МОСКВА” text and a manifesto dedicated to Korobka streetball finish off the T-shirt and sweater found in the set.

Utilizing a contrasting black and white color scheme, fledgling designer Vsevolod Cherepanov of emerging brand SEVER put together a professional kit comprised of a jersey and a pair of shorts. A cage grid serves as the main design element of the pieces accented by a glitched chest font, which references bold sports advertising.

Paying homage to one of the brightest moments in Russian soccer history, ZULUWARRIOR put together a jersey-centered set. Sporting a simplistic design, the colors of the nation’s flag stand proudly on the athletic pieces. While a soccer scarf and simply-branded hoodie bring a fan-like lifestyle edge to the ZULUWARRIOR’s collaboration.

Teaming up with Dmitriy Oskes, lauded Moscow retailer BELIEF put together a pullover, spotlighting the coming together that happens on Korobka courts. The collaboration is exceptionally important to BELIEF, as the staff of the store has witnessed the unity that ensues after having played on a Korobka court for the last seven years. Relating the cohesion to the subcultural clashes that breed creativity, a dimensional-focused representation of a common court is displayed on the back of the piece.

Looking to the future of sportswear, DJ CYBER69 brought in a reflection of VIA SACRA philosophy for his jersey design. A logarithmic circular print representing energy concentration dominates the front of the jersey, while a mind map of a game of soccer brings an elevated level of sport.

Set to release on June 15, the Russia-themed “Football Korobka” collection will be available at the Nike Moscow Flagship Store and retail partners such as BELIEF Moscow, KM20, Sneakerhead, Streetbeat and online.

In case you missed it, take a closer look at the weathering found on the Off-White™ x Nike “Football, Mon Amour” Magia Match Ball.

Nike Moscow Flagship
Ulitsa Kuznetskiy Most
14, Moskva, 107031
Russia