Adidas Pride Collection 2023 Releases Colorful Rich Mnisi Designs – Footwear News
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Adidas is taking a colorful step forward for Pride month, thanks to queer South African designer Rich Mnisi.
Mnisi is the latest designer to collaborate with Adidas for Pride — which celebrates LGBTQIA+ equality and rights — in the month of June, launching a new “Let Love Be Your Legacy” collection that’s now live on the brand’s website.
Retailing for $50-$85, the black and white capsule features a T-shirt, tank top, dress, swimsuit, two shorts styles and two soccer jerseys made with partial recycled materials in partnership with Better Cotton, with various pieces available in men’s, women’s and youth sizes.
Giving the line a whimsical spin are Mnisi’s signature circular graphic, circular checks and abstract prints, as well as “Love Unites” and “Let Love Be Your Legacy” slogans, multicolored accents and Adidas’ signature three stripes.
Adidas x Rich Mnisi’s Pride 2023 campaign. CREDIT: Courtesy of Adidas
“In creating this collection, I had a strong impulse to speak to my inner-child and express to the world how LGBTQIA+ allyship can create a legacy of love,” Mnisi said in a statement. “Unifying these themes together through my own visual language and adidas’ iconic performance and lifestyle pieces is a powerful combination – making the collection a symbol for self-acceptance and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. My hope is this range inspires LGBTQIA+ allies to speak up more for the queer people they love and not let them fight for acceptance alone.”
Adidas x Rich Mnisi’s Pride 2023 campaign. CREDIT: Courtesy of Adidas
The collection draws inspiration from equality in sports, as well as a letter of the same title Mnisi wrote to his younger self. As part of its accompanying campaign — which finds a diverse array of models posing in the line — the athletic brand’s partners Tom Daley, Jari Jones and Athlete Ally have all written their own letters calling for wider acceptance in sports. Adidas has also partnered with EA Sports to offer several of the collection’s pieces for players to use in game modes in the FIFA 23 video game.
Adidas x Rich Mnisi’s Pride 2023 campaign. CREDIT: Courtesy of Adidas
Aside from its inclusive nature, the Adidas x Rich Mnisi collection also has a deeper purpose. The line taps into Adidas’ mission to equalize the world of sports, continuing its ongoing partnership with nonprofit Athlete Ally — which aims to end homophobia and transphobia in sports.
“Together with adidas our goal is to drive inclusivity in sport – supporting student athletes from the LGBTQI+ and their allies to push for fair access and safe participation in sport,” said Athlete Ally founder Hudson Taylor in a statement. “Through our partnership, we’ve created more affirming athletic spaces to celebrate the community across sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.”
Adidas x Rich Mnisi’s collection is now available on Adidas’ website, stores and the Adidas app.