France
will compete in Brasil this year in an away kit that combines their inherent
style and flair for fashion with the best in performance innovation to produce
an elegant new look.
“This
new away kit is unmistakably French. It is understated yet stylish and gives
France a clear national identity on the pitch,” said Martin Lotti, Creative
Director for Nike Football.
The
"Marinière," a classic French design motif, makes a subtle return to
the away jersey in the form of a tonal grey mariner stripe.
The
jersey also features a new crest, inspired by the classic cockerel worn by the
French team in 1958. The symbol is enlarged, freed from its badge and given the
space to become the ultimate symbol of national pride.
The
away jersey has a stand collar, and inside the back of the neck is a small
pennant featuring the red, white and blue colours of France’s tricolor flag.
The
shorts are midnight navy blue and feature the same stylish and unique denim
effect found in the home jersey. This fabric is inspired by the southern French
town of Nimes, the birthplace of denim and originator of the fabric's name (de
Nimes). Denim was invented in the 17th century as a mix between wool and silk,
and Nike Football designers chose the fabric for the shorts to represent the
rawness of denim and the elegance of silk.
Along
each side of the shorts is selvedge-style taping, inspired by the premium denim
edge-finishing technique.
Simple
and iconic, the shorts are slimmer and more tailored to the body, with a cut
specifically designed to aid movement and comfort. The center back of the
shorts features Nike’s signature laser vents to promote cooling and moisture
management. The new away socks are in classic white.
"I
love the new kit, simple and elegant. And not only does it look great on the
pitch it also helps to keep us comfortable and focused on our game," said
French player Raphaël Varane.
The
kit aids performance by helping regulate player body temperature over the
course of a match. By using a combination of Nike Dri-FIT technology, mesh
panels and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localize cooling
where players need it most.
Nike
Dri-FIT technology pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the
garment where it evaporates quickly. Laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered
mesh in key areas allow for increased breathability and airflow across the
skin.
“By
managing sweat and keeping the body cooler longer, players feel more
comfortable, sweat less and perform better,” said Lotti.
In
addition to helping players stay cool, the kit is made with a new dual-knit
fabrication that incorporates cotton and recycled polyester for the best in
moisture-wicking properties, while adding a softer feel and more flattering
shape.
ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY
In
line with Nike’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental
impact, the shirt, short — and for the first time in a national team kit, the
socks — all feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles (100 percent
recycled polyester in the shorts, 96 percent recycled polyester in the shirt
and 78 percent in the socks). Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled
plastic bottles. Since 2010, Nike has diverted almost two billion bottles from
landfills, enough to cover more than 2,800 full-sized football pitches.
“Incorporating
environmental sustainability is a key part of the design and development
process for us,” said Lotti. “Our aim is to create a kit that performs for
players and is good to the planet.”
Designers
utilized three-dimensional body scans of elite footballers to collect data on
the form of today’s players and identify an updated fit, improving comfort and
allowing the body to move more naturally within the kit.
While
looking at every element of the modern football kit, Nike designers even paid
special attention to the kits’ socks. Combining athlete insights and research
with new materials and fabrications, the Nike Elite Match Fit sock for 2014
features a sleeker fit specific to football. Strategically cushioned zones
provide comfort and protection at the big toe and anklebones where the majority
of impact occurs, while arch support locks down the foot to help prevent
slipping. Material was also eliminated to enhance touch and decrease bulk, and flex
grooves were added to the ankle and the top of the foot to prevent bunching.
The
new Nike Pro baselayer is the lightest ever from Nike and features increased
venting and breathability.
Players
have a variety of Nike Pro baselayer styles for players to choose from. These
are designed for the varying temperatures and conditions athletes will
encounter in Brasil, which are expected to vary from high heat during mid-day
matches, to much colder temperatures in the southern match locations during
evening games.
Nike
has redesigned its baselayer short for 2014 taking insights directly from some
of the best players in the world.
“When
we asked players to talk about the kind of protection they need during a match,
they showed us scars and abrasions on their upper-back hip area from sliding,”
recalled Lotti. “Several players showed us these same injuries so we set out to
add more protection, while balancing the need for lightweight breathability.”
The
result is the Nike Pro Combat Ultralight Slider Short. Featuring increased and
adjusted abrasion protection zones to match the athlete’s sliding pattern, the
short is also 20 percent lighter than previous versions and made with 87
percent recycled polyester. Weight was eliminated through the addition of mesh
for increased breathability and cooling where the athlete generates heat.
