Nike SB 'Community of Sport' Lookbook
Following on from their recent ‘Community of Art’ pack that introduced artistic new season designs such as the mosaic style Nike SB Blazer Mid Premium into the mix as an ode to Barcelona’s communal art spaces, Nike SB’s ‘Community of Sport’ pack is one that turns its attention to parent brand Nike’s eminent racket sport legacy as it introduces a handful of archive inspired remasterings to its skate specific moniker. For further inspiration, take a look at our accompanying lookbook and read more about the influences behind the release below.
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With their transformation to Nike from their original Blue Ribbon Sports title behind them, and their signing of Romanian tennis player Ilie Nastase still fresh in their minds, the NikeCourt story came to life in ‘73 with Nastase earning the accolade of being the first professional athlete to wear the brand’s sneakers at the Rainier International Tennis Classic in Seattle. Signing eccentric tennis star and Nike Air Trainer 1 mastermind John McEnroe in 1987, the NikeCourt DNA is one saturated with experimental intent and authenticated appeal. Inspired by the McEnroe era, Andre Agassi’s unruly vibe and even by more modern pop-cultural influences such as 2001’s dark comedy The Royal Tenenbaums directed by Wes Anderson, the iconic centre court logo originally adorned across apparel once worn by Californian native Pete Sampras now finds itself recast in a reconditioned light for the brand’s progressive skatewear division.
A collection that finds itself well placed next to 2021’s summer of sport event cycle that not only celebrates the arrival of postponed events like UEFA’s Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics, but also Wimbledon and the upcoming US Open, the Nike SB ‘Community of Sport’ pack forms the secondary pillar of influence that finds itself ingrained as being ‘the life blood of skateboarding’ and contemporary skate culture. Classic cut tees such as the Nike SB Header T-Shirt are styled with NikeCourt’s rehashed vintage logo sewn across the chest, whilst the reverse features a fine line illustration that honours both the skatewear label’s love of custom graphics and throwback references to John McEnroe’s infamous checkerboard NikeCourt rebranding from the late ‘80s. The colourful Nike SB Court Polo Shirt pairs collegiate and classic tennis attire underpinnings with Nike SB’s passion for creative design, whilst the Nike SB Court ½ Zip Sweatshirt and utilitarian inspired Nike SB Storm-FIT Jacket keep the brand’s balance between performative sportswear and inventive street necessity well levelled. Inspired by post fixture restwear and warmer weather settings, the Nike SB Court Fleece Shorts are designed to provide a comfortable day on day wear with a fabric fleece twist thanks to their relaxed composure, their elasticated waist and their casual drawcord trims.
Ultimately coming full circle as the perfect match to the recent ‘Community of Art’ pack, odes to Barcelona are retained, with inspiration also hailing from the iconic Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899, the oldest Spanish tennis club, NikeCourt’s illustrious association with Spanish player Rafael Nadal and from Barcelona’s recognition as being Europe’s skate capital. The Nike SB YD Stripe T-Shirt hosts a referencial colourway that combines citation to both the OG NikeCourt logo with Barcelona FC’s ‘equip blaugrana’, blue and garnet team namesake, whilst the performative Nike SB Storm-FIT Track Jacket retains the same Catalonian muse across its lightweight yet resilient, all season design.
Transforming classic NikeCourt DNA and the tennis centred subdivision’s representative admiration for form and function, Nike SB adapts the infamous hardcourt logo in a manner that pays homage to both courtside tradition and the evolution of modern day skate culture.
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