When you think of football and fashion, David Beckham instantly springs to mind. And then you’re left struggling for other names. But Becks better make room on football’s fashion throne, as Giorgio Armani has confirmed he is the designer behind Bayern Munich Football Club’s new uniforms.
As part of a three-year deal inked in May 2014, all of the players and team officials of Bayern Munich football team will wear the Italian designer’s clothes for all official events. In the fashion world, this collection would be known as Autumn/Winter 2015 but I’m not sure that translates correctly to the football season… Either way, football certainly just got a lot more fashionable!
Explaining his reasons behind the move, Armani remarked, “Bayern is a winning team that plays a quality game, and is composed of motivated athletes with an international scope. That’s why I decided to once again work with a highly important football club, creating an entire Made to Measure wardrobe for them. A tailored suit is a true contemporary luxury, which is perfect for a top club like Bayern and adapts naturally to the athletes’ bodies.”
Apparel for the team athletes and club managers will come from the Giorgio Armani ‘Made to Measure’ line. Besides the official uniform, the brand will be providing bags, luggage and a more comfortable travel outfit. All clothing will be personalized with a “Giorgio Armani for” label, followed by the name of the football player or official.
The new uniform includes a navy blue suit in wool and cashmere, as well as a two-button jacket, vest, pleatless pants and a white cotton shirt. Paying tribute to the club’s official colours, the uniform also includes a red V-neck sweater in cashmere and a red tie. To complete the players wardrobe, Giorgio Armani has designed the final touches in the form of black lace-up shoes and a chocolate-brown duster coat.
As in previous collections, Armani will also provide the German team with accessories, from sunglasses to a midnight blue trolley bag, beauty case and small leather messenger bag. A deep blue sporty leather backpack was added to this season’s equipment.
“We are proud and we think it is great that Bayern Munich will in the future be dressed personally by maestro of the fashion world,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement on Friday.
This is not the first time Giorgio Armani has been a part of the world of football. From 2007 to 2009, the designer created the official uniforms for the English football club Chelsea FC. The Italian brand is also the official supplier of the Italian Olympic team, which it outfitted for London 2012, Sochi 2014 and will continue to do so for Rio 2016.