Nike President and CEO Mark Parker and 22 Chinese Federations unveiled their
uniform collections today in front of 500 invited guests and media. The event,
at China’s famed Tai Miao, the Ancestral Temple east of the Forbidden City,
showcased Nike’s China Federation uniforms which combine performance innovation
with cultural traditions.
Nike worked with Chinese athletes, the Chinese
Olympic Committee, and 22 of the 28 sport Federations to complete its most
lightweight and innovative performance product while showcasing the unique look
of China. The collection ranges from footwear, using lightweight Flywire
technology fibers and Lunarlite foam cushioning to Nike Swift performance
apparel using recycled polyester.
“We work with athletes to elevate
their performances and help them realize their potential. That is at the core of
what Nike is all about,” said Nike President and CEO Mark Parker. “This is some
of the best work we’ve ever done. From BMX to Track and Field, athletes like Liu
Xiang inspire us to create our best and most innovative product.”
Nike’s
apparel and footwear for Chinese athletes is inspired by the nation’s heritage
and designed for performance, utilizing lightweight technology. Key products
like the Nike Swift suit and the Taekwondo uniform will help athletes perform
their best in Beijing. For China’s athletes the experience means wearing
uniforms that are steeped in the country’s heritage and combined with Nike’s
performance innovation.
Nike Sportswear
In
celebration of Beijing, Nike unveiled its Nike Sportswear product line at an
exhibition at the “Cable 8” Studio in the Chaoyang District. The new Nike
Sportswear line is rooted in the company’s passion for sport while at the same
time remixing and improving iconic designs with new technologies.
Nike
Sportswear launches with eight iconic Nike products celebrating the legacy of
Nike design. It includes: the Air Force 1, the Windrunner, AW 77 Hoody, the Nike
Dunk, Air Max 90, Eugene Track Jacket, the Cortez and NSW Tee.
Elements of the installation include a series of high-definition video
portraits by celebrated artist and designer, Robert Wilson and producer Noah
Khoshbin. The pair has translated Nike’s design innovation in sport and the
energy of athletes like Sofia Boutella, Shingo Iwasaki and Nigel Sylvester into
a unique visual and sensory experience. As part of the launch, Nike is naming
the category Nike Sportswear evoking the name first launched back in
1979.
“This Nike Sportswear launch exhibition brings the power of sports
and athletes to life in an unprecedented way,” said Trevor Edwards, Vice
President for Brand and Category Management. “We’re focusing our products by
blending our sports heritage with new design innovation for consumers. It’s a
huge opportunity for us.”
Nike Sportswear is one of Nike’s six key
categories where the company expects 75 percent of future growth. It’s one of
the premium lines featured in the category, as well as outdoor and action sports
products. Consumers will begin to see Nike Sportswear product next month with a
complete rollout in August.
Nike’s growth in
China
In China, Nike is the leading sportswear brand having passed
the $1BN mark a year ahead of schedule. Beijing provides Nike with a global
stage to capitalize on the momentum and brand leadership the company has firmly
established in China. The recent introduction of the Nike Hyperdunk and other
premium innovations from the court to the track are powerful platforms for Nike
to reinforce its number one position and to connect deeply with consumers
globally. Nike’s retail presence in China is strong in more than 300 cities.
Today, China represents Nike’s largest sourcing country and is its largest
business outside of the United States.
About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading
designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel,
equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.
Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and
distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan Holdings
Incorporated, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags,
accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global
football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets
and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and
accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com