| Well the new Stade Francais’s rugby kit is causing a stir! Made by Adidas, it is covered in repeat block colour images of Blanche de Castille, France’s thirteenth century ruler, complete with crown. The design is clearly reminiscent of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe prints.
Personally I quite like it, not sure it’ll look quite the same filled with a large French rugby player, but as a garment it works. The colours and design are strong and eye-catching. The contrast darker sleeves and side panels help to counteract the bright colour blocks and slim the figure and tone down the overall appearance of the garment so that it isn’t quite so garish. It certainly opens up a whole new area of sportswear design for those of us who have had the task of trying to come up with a new way of introducing team colours in various panels, piping and trims.
Whereas before garments have been limited by where seams can be put for comfort, strength and cost, the placement of colours was also limited to these areas as fabrics are still generally supplied in single colours.
The application of images and multi-coloured prints to sports clothing could completely change the way we do things. The advancement of sports fabrics has played a big part, new fabrics can be coloured and printed in ways which wouldn’t have worked so well in the past. This means that as new cheaper methods of printing are developed that allow for smaller runs of fabric, the way we think about sportswear design has also changed. More items are using printed fabrics within their design to try to give their product the edge. Gilbert for example use camouflage prints on their rugby protective gear. It still isn’t as financially viable for most team-wear as printed fabrics will still be more expensive and minimum quantities will be higher to make print runs worthwhile. But the concept is out-there now and more is sure to follow.
I like that the designer thought outside the box and I really like that Stade Francais were brave enough to go with it. It is so automatic to keep trying to come up with a variation on a theme, thinking in a completely new direction is rare. Although the design itself is reminiscent of earlier designs by Warhol, the use of that style of pattern in this context is radical and it has started debates on various websites. The fact that people are discussing the design of a new rugby kit is a great thing. Normally a kit would be launched and accepted without much notice being taken. Some fans will automatically buy a new kit whenever it is launched, others will buy them less frequently. This new kit will certainly test the loyalty of the team’s following!
Will they sell many to supporters? I don’t know, quite possibly the typical rugby crowd won’t be keen on having a bright pink queen (quite literally) on their front. Then again the design may appeal to a whole new audience. Certainly some might be more keen to wear this one as it certainly makes a statement, not only about which team you support but about the kind of personality you are - bold, outgoing, flamboyant.
Stade Francais often seem to get noticed for their kits, their pink one started an influx of other pink rugby and sports clothing. Brands such as Kooga have used pink for their polo shirts and rugby match shirts. So will this new design have us all following the trend? I can’t wait to find out. Will I be rushing out to buy one? No, I’m British! But if they make us one with our Queen on it instead or the faces of the England squad then, yes I’d wear one – would you join me?
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