Nike President and CEO Mark Parker and 22 Chinese Federations unveiled their uniform collections 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.
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.
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.
