Champion, the renowned sportswear brand, has announced a highly anticipated collaboration with British menswear designer Craig Green. This exciting partnership has resulted in a capsule collection consisting of nine unique styles that draw inspiration from the rich archives of Champion. The collection is scheduled to make its debut in Europe next week, followed by a release in Japan later in September.
The collaboration between Champion and Craig Green emphasizes the importance of functionality in design and celebrates the sense of community that can be fostered through clothing. The collection is divided into two main narratives, each offering a distinct viewpoint on the collaboration.
In the first narrative, Green explores archive collegiate graphics from the 1960s to the 1990s, drawing inspiration from uniforms supplied to American colleges during that period. These graphics are adorned with numerical patches symbolizing each decade, creating a nostalgic and authentic feel to the sweatshirts, jerseys, and zip-necks. The design elements focus on black fronts and bleach-out printing techniques, giving a nod to the archival origins of the collection. Additionally, each piece is distinguished by an external woven patch that corresponds to its specific decade, adding a historical touch to the overall aesthetic.
Turning to the second narrative, Green delves into Champion’s history of technical innovations, showcasing a series of sweatshirts, hoodies, and jerseys. He reinvents ribbed gussets, originally designed for movement and comfort in sportswear, by enlarging them to become integral shapes that reflect Green’s unique design language.
Expressing his thoughts on the collection, Green remarked, “Champion has such an incredible history and archive of collegiate uniforms. For me, the collegiate graphics relate to being part of a team and belonging to something, and I like how these pieces were originally created for this function. We explored classic Champion construction details and how elements intended for a purely technical purpose can form the design aesthetic.”
The campaign visuals for the collection were captured by Green’s collaborator, Amy Gwatkin, who created mechanical structures to showcase the pieces in interactive poses evoking a sports player’s movements. These structures, resembling exercise equipment or homemade gyms, embody the essence of athleticism and community, further enhancing the collection’s narrative.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Champion and Craig Green epitomizes a fusion of heritage, innovation, and artistic ingenuity, offering a fresh perspective on sportswear and design. This collection not only pays homage to the past but also looks towards the future of fashion with a contemporary and forward-thinking approach.
(Source 1: Champion x Craig Green Collection)
(Source 2: Vogue Article on Champion x Craig Green Collaboration)
