As the Lead Apparel Designer for Nike Global Football, I was tasked with creating the Academy Pro collection, which was meant to be a premium training line that would serve as an upsell to the classic Academy range but was a step down from the elite Strike training product in Nike's football offerings. The motivation behind Academy Pro was to portray the infectious energy of Football, from formal training grounds to the informal street pavement.

During my travels, I heard from young athletes who wanted to flaunt their Nike products and gain social capital by wearing them. To address this, Russell Grimley created a subtle mesh-like graphic that lived within the bold sporty, dynamic stripes, providing graphic interest while remaining clean and wearable. I worked closely with Kevin Gribben to ensure that the blocking was tasteful and sporty, achieving the desired look for the collection.

As a sportswear designer, I believe innovation and performance are a given. I included features like thumbholes, hidden inseam chest pockets, and taper slim-cut pant legs with zips. Nike's youthful audience does not just desire these features, but they are also understood and required to meet the needs of athletes. Overall, the Academy Pro collection was a successful project that met the needs and desires of Nike's young, athletic audience. Through collaboration with talented designers like Russell Grimley and Kevin Gribben, we created a visually interesting and functional collection, pushing the boundaries of football & lifestyle sportswear.