Is it coincidence that the best and most feared football team in the world, the Brazilian national squad share a marketable jersey with that of the most feared rugby team, the New Zealand All Blacks?
The new Brazil special black soccer jersey 2011-12 is all black, including the horizontal bar on the chest, the Nike logo and the Brazil national crest. It will NOT be worn by Brazil in matches and is most likely going to be a training shirt. If that. In sharp contrast to the canary yellow, there is deeper emotion conjured when making a kit of sorts entirely black. Black is a no nonsense color. Like New York fashion or stealth planes – the fun of the Brazilian yellow is replaced by the seriousness that embodies a darker spirit. We think Nike (which has produced before a line of all black Brazilian gear, see here) is toying around with the attitude and myth that comes from the New Zealand All Blacks.
- According to Nike Sportswear Apparel Design Director Jarrett Reynolds, “The Brazil kit, in particular was full of amazing innovations”. The Nike Sportswear team retained silhouettes from the football kit and remixed them in all black– the color of toughness. This is quite a revolutionary change from Brazil’s signature bright yellow, green and blue uniforms. By stripping away the festive colors and amplifying the key Brazilian Yellow (used in the Brazilian crest), the designers not only retains the Brazilian tenacity (the Brazil team is a five-time champion!) but also adds a purposeful coolness and resilience to the kit.
The intention to design a jersey with no color whatsoever isn’t necessary to portray your brand or product when they’re as accomplished as the Brazilians. Get close enough and you’ll see that a Brazilian jersey (in any color) is an admirable opponent and a feared one. We expect this jersey to be a rare and highly in-demand piece to add to any Brazilian fans collection. Hell, we’re nuts for rugby, but kudos to Nike (again!) for making such a unique shirt. No links where to get the shirt yet.
If you find where to get one, let us know!