NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined was Riccardo Tisci’s second Nike collaboration, after the 2014 Air Force 1 collection and a Dunk Lux High in February 2016. Tisci was then creative director of Givenchy. Announced in March as part of Nike’s Summer of Sport before the Rio Olympics, it came in two capsules: black and white on July 7, 2016, and floral prints in August. We made it internally, Nike Brand Design EMEA with NikeLab, and Nike Brand Design briefed and creative directed the outside agencies.
Why it looks like this
Black and white, then flowers. Hypebeast reported that the first capsule used Tisci’s signature black-and-white palette. The second mixed kaleidoscope and floral prints, with flowers from Oregon, Nike’s home state, from Taranto, Tisci’s hometown, and from Rio de Janeiro, the Olympic host, plus stars and skulls as nods to Tisci.
Performance first. NikeLab senior design director Jarrett Reynolds said the collection “is engineered for performance, which is unfamiliar territory for him.” FashionUnited reported that the pieces were built on Nike performance technologies such as Dri-FIT and Flyknit, with streamlined silhouettes.
Riccardo’s vision pushed our design to a place we wouldn’t have arrived on our own.
Jarrett Reynolds, senior design director, NikeLab, source
