Cult British streetwear brand Palace is doubling down on its relatively fresh partnership with Nike with “The Three Lions by Palace,” a timely capsule for the England men’s soccer team.
Launching on June 12, one day after the FIFA World Cup starts, the collection folds soccer culture, national myth-making and social impact into one drop, and forms parts of Nike’s forthcoming Nike x2 series, a program of capsules uniting federations, creative collaborators and community partners.
The range, which spans pre-match training gear and off-pitch lifestyle pieces, features silver anthem zip-up jackets, a leather and wool varsity jacket with oversize three lions on the back, infrared-accented drill tops and a solo-Swoosh tracksuit. There are also Dri-fit lifestyle jerseys and tops keyed to the St. George’s Cross and the legend of St. George.
The landmark three-way partnership is also aimed at spotlighting long-term Nike and Football Association partner Football Beyond Borders, the education and social inclusion organization that uses the game to support young people.
FBB’s logo will appear on special-edition pre-match kits, which the England squad will wear during pre-tournament fixtures on June 6 and 10, taking on New Zealand and Costa Rica, respectively.
Palace x Nike x England capsule.
Courtesy
“It’s always been a dream of ours to work officially with England,” said Lev Tanju, cofounder and creative director of Palace.
“Growing up in London it’s always a massive moment when tournament football starts and everyone comes together, rooting for the same team. We’ve made a few different things in the past as an ode to the England team, so now to officially partner is a dream come true,” he added.
The capsule was teased with a campaign film fronted by soccer players Wayne Rooney and Jill Scott, plus a cast of fans. It was anchored by Rooney’s recital of Shakespeare over a fast-cut montage that hurtles from present-day terraces back to Stonehenge, reimagined as a primordial goalmouth.
Palace said the film serves as a love letter to the England team and its fans, celebrating the pride and unity across the country brought on by soccer, and the film’s intentionally fast and gritty pace highlights England team’s attacking style of play.
Palace x Nike x England capsule.
Courtesy
“To me, England’s identity is so intertwined with the England national football team, the two are pretty much hand in glove. What could be better than designing for England with Nike. It’s quintessential childhood dream stuff,” added Palace cofounder and chief executive officer Gareth Skewis.
Following exclusive drops across Palace’s own global retail network, the capsule will have a wider release at select retailers, including nike.com and England channels on June 16, right before the team’s first official World Cup match-up against Croatia the next day.
