Arriving to coincide with Notting Hill Carnival, Kappa have partnered with British-Jamaican artist Barka and London-based creative agency Too Hot Limited on a collection inspired by the Jamaican national football team’s iconic World Cup 1998 kit.
Jamaica is a nation rich with culture and heritage, and while adidas are now starting to tap into it, few other brands have done so to great effect in the past. But one brand that did live up to the creativity inherent in the island was Kappa, who produced one of the national football team’s most iconic kits of all-time, worn in the club’s first World Cup appearance in 1998, notably in the match against Japan, with two of the best kits of the tournament going head to head. Now, Kappa are bringing the design back as part of a collection produced with creative agency Too Hot and British-Jamaican artist, Barka.
As the centrepiece of the collection, the remastered jersey features a fingerprint motif that represents Barka’s personal Jamaican identity and embodies the profound imprint the nation has left on global sport and culture. The wider collection includes the limited-edition jersey, track top, shorts and oversized vest featuring the Kappa and Too Hot logos intertwined with Jamaican national colours.
"Watching the 1998 World Cup with my family was a special moment in my childhood," explained Barka. "I vividly remember the joy of seeing the Reggae Boyz score their first goal against Croatia and make history with their first win against Japan. The original jersey from that tournament holds a deep sense of nostalgia for me.
“Having the opportunity to redesign that iconic jersey and direct the film for Kappa x Too Hot in Jamaica was truly a dream come true. When designing the new jersey, I wanted to recreate that same feeling of identity and pride I felt as a child. It felt like a full-circle moment, bridging those cherished memories with a significant milestone in my career.”
The campaign video, also directed by Barka, was shot on location in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, and the collection was captured against a backdrop of authentic spirit and natural beauty, with locally cast talent. The effervescent soundtrack for the campaign was composed by Barka’s frequent collaborator and friend, the acclaimed jazz drummer, Yussef Dayes.
The Kappa x Too Hot collection is available to shop now at prodirectsport.com/soccer
