Nike FFF Designer Interview
A national football shirt is a symbol of identity, it carries the hopes and expectations of millions of football fans, so how do you go about designing the first Nike FFF kit? To find out the answers and to understand the creation process, SoccerBible had an exclusive interview with Romain Gardair, the Global Apparel Product Manager for the French Football Federation.
This week saw the global launch of the new FFF football shirt, the launch event was elaborately staged in Paris with such stars as Laurent Blanc, Florent Malouda and Abou Diaby in attendance. But behind the grand launch was one man who has seen the project through from start to finish - a project that has lasted three years - that man is Romain Gardair, and he granted an exclusive audience to the SoccerBible fans...
SoccerBible: If you could tell us the inspiration behind the new FFF football shirt?
Romain Gardair: First of all we wanted to start from scratch which is great to be able to do, because we didn't have any history with the French national team.
| We went around France and interviewed players, ex-players, journalists, sports journalists, fashion consultants, sociologists and so many other experts. The vision and the idea was to grab as many insights as we could what it was to be French, what this team meant for the French and what were the values of the team. So instead of sketching and designing the shirt, we wanted to know what were the |
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values of the national team. Thanks to those values we designed the whole kit, as it's not just about the shirt it's about the overall silhouette. It's this groundwork that has given us the values, and everything we have done has been based on those values.
SB: Do you see the shirt as a symbol of the new era in French football?
R It's a new era by what we call brand essence, so 'Our Differences Unite Us' which is the phrase you find on the inside of the shirt, sums up all the values and the truth of that team. The French are really diverse coming from so many different origins, their differences make them stronger whether it's on the pitch or in their lives. The team is
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made up of extraordinary players and hardcore defenders, it's a mix of two people with a different origin working together which is so unique, so we wanted to make the shirt unique.
SB: How important are the materials and technology in the shirt? R This is actually the starting point. I mentioned the research on the values and the essence of the team, but on the other |
hand you have to work on the different materials. We thought what is the best fabric for the players and the team that will also make the shirt environmentally friendly, and be a breakthrough in the industry. So we researched and put a lot of thought into the fabric.
The idea was to keep the perspiration management system that is key for the players and to bring comfort on the interior. By keeping the best of the technology from Nike for a 100% polyester shirt, you're mixing the two and giving this elegant look as well.
SB: A new football boot will be given to the players for play testing, is it the same process with a shirt?
R Exactly. The new shirt is slimmer and slightly longer, so we do some samples that go to the players and we ask them to train in it and tell us what they think. We get feedback for different fabric and different sizing, as well the comfort. If the players don't feel comfortable in the shirt, even if it's a brand new design, it doesn't work!
| So the first integral point is does Florent Malouda feel happy with the shirt, and is Abou Diaby happy with the shirt? If they are, and if they think it doesn't disturb them and brings them more performance than you can work on the rest. So we've done several wear test sessions with them just in the feel of the shirt and of the fabric to get it perfect. SB: Did you always have a collar in mind, because it's iconic and symbolic of France and Nike star Eric Cantona? |
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R The collar came quite early in the process, the vision was to have this shirt-like collar, we didn't want it to be gimmicky or just referring to the past as you always look forward. If you want to buy the best shirt now, then you want the best collar possible and so we thought it would be different to have a small one.
SB: How will you feel when you first see the shirt being worn by the French national team as they walk onto the pitch?
Wow, I think I'll try not to cry! This kit has been the result of a team working for three years, I'm here talking to you but I'm representing such a big team of designers, developers, materials team, marketing, just such a broad team. When it comes to life then that's the big moment, you work for that, and when it comes you feel really proud, so I'll tell you in a month!
SB: Will you be attending the game?
Yes of course, we're bringing the entire football apparel team to the game. It's sort of a reward as they work so hard on the shirts and often don't get the opportunity to see them worn. But this time it is such a massive occasion, so we're able to bring the team to have a great moment and celebrate.
You can check out our full review of the new FFF football shirt, plus all the news from the spectacular launch event. And stay tuned to the SoccerBible for more exclusive interviews...
