Nike France National Authentic Team Shirt
There's only one kit that people are talking about at the moment and that's the new Nike France International kit! After securing a deal to become the new Technical Suppliers to the French National Football team, Nike have gone all out to produce one of the most impressive football strips we've seen in a long time... 
After an impressive launch event in Paris featuring the likes of Laurent Blanc, Florent Malouda and Abou Diaby, Nike have finally unveiled the new kit for Les Bleus. For Nike and the France International team, this is more than a shirt. The classic shirt, created through innovation and elegant design, symbolises a new era inspired by creativity and attacking intent. It marks the start of a new era in French football.
Thanks to our friends at Nike, we've managed to get our hands on this exclusive 'Authentic' edition of the new French shirt. We didn't want to waste any time in holding this back from our SoccerBible readers! So check out our exclusive SoccerBible images and let us know what you think... 
Nike designers embarked on an extensive research process as part of the design, visiting France and speaking at length to young football players and fans, sociologists, fashion consultants, current and former French players, retailers, football experts, and the French Football Federation (FFF) themselves to gain insights. 
The result is a kit which adheres to the tradition and standards of French style and design excellence, while enabling players to perform at the best every time they pull on the famous French shirt. The new France kit from Nike combines design cues and references to French style and elegance with the latest in performance innovation. It is also Nike's most environmentally sustainable football kit yet developed. 
Nike wanted to create a shirt that was completely unique to France. One that couldn't be worn by any other team in the world. That meant identifying some of the key values of French society that could be successfully transposed to the shirt. To create a modern, yet classic design.
The Home uniform is a new, darker shade of blue than previous French kits: The colour (Meteor Blue) embodies French style and sophistication, and combines the bright royal blue of the French flag with a classic French marine blue. The full uniform represents the classic tricolor of the French team: Blue jersey, White short and Red sock. 
The first truly modern aspect of the shirt is the fabric used, which is completely new. The fabrics Nike have used represent the cutting edge of modern technology.
The jersey is made from an innovative high-tech polycotton fabric, combining polyester made from recycled plastic bottles with organic cotton. This provides a soft cotton feel to the kit without sacrificing performance characteristics. The jersey s double knit structure gives it a sleek appearance, while offering 10% more stretch than previous Nike football shirts. 
The FFF crest, the most symbolic element of the shirt, is one of the most innovative parts of the jersey. A new single layer crest is thermally bonded, rather than embroidered, onto the shirt. This makes it ultra-light and reduces potential irritation against the players skin. 
One of the most important components of any outfit, wether in the fashion industry or on a football shirt, is the neck. Nike were keen for the collar of the shirt to be very elegant, with a distinctively French style, cut and proportions. 
Nike wanted to bring together all the different elements of the new France crest under a single phrase that goes to the heart of what Nike believe the French national football ream is all about. That phrase is ''United by our differences''.
The shirt features a contemporary slim collar, inspired by the elegance and simplicity of the Parisian designers, featuring a spread collar front and an elongated slim button placket. 
The France shirt has always been Red, White and Blue. Nike wanted to use the famous Blue/Red/White France colour-way in a subtle new way that can be customised to suit the wearer's personality, just as for the collar. To do this, Nike have made the red optional. Anyone wanting to wear the shirt with red, can simply go ahead and turn up the sleeves to reveal the bright red and stand out from the crowd. 
The new Nike France Home Shirt 2011-12 is set to make its debut at one of the biggest stages of them all! France will make their first appearance in the new home strip when France take on Brasil at le Stade de France on Febuary 9th!
Stay tuned for some exclusive SoccerBible behind the scenes coverage of the Nike launch event in Paris! Also, we'll be brining you exclusive interviews from the designer of the new kit along with French internationals Florent Malouda and Abou Diaby!
