Cassette Playa Vs. Parra Lookbook!
Nike spice up the current lo-fi fixation and colour paranoia by combining with and to create this intergalactic orgy of colour, kinetic symbology and comedic nuttiness. The focus is clearly the high-tech retro apparel, which although a contradiction in terms is a neat way of describing the stadium/destroyer jackets which are made with Melton wool, Thermore padding and Dri-FIT lining topped with chenille appliques and some of the maddest graphics we've seen since brown acid was big in the 70s.
But it's not all about the jackets - there's a few tees as well and lucky for us, Parra also designed this stonking Air Maxim in his trademark black/blue/orange/pink combo with a killer speckle. Playa responded to the challenge with a pumpkin-soled Dunk Hi with some extra graphic embellishment that is literally out of this world! Apparently the brief sent to these creative powerhouses was to create their own fantasy sports team, and in Carrie Mudane's (Cassette Playa) own words her A-Team are ‘Mutant fusions of Earth creatures... fearless and dedicated to winning. They have a two sided brain that competes against itself, caught in an infinite internal battle.' Well that about sums it up. These two-sided brains have created their own parra-llel universe - check the pics here!
PRESS RELEASE
Introducing - The Cassette Playa Team - Chimeras
Set against a backdrop of 2012 apocalypse Cassette Playa's Chimeras' are a group to be reckoned with. Speaking of her team Cassette Playa describes them as ‘Mutant fusions of Earth creatures, the chimeras are fearless and dedicated to winning. Rivals with other surviving Earth creatures, but also their own enemy, they have a two sided brain that competes against itself, caught in an infinite internal battle.' A wash of radioactive acid greens, fluro-oranges, fuschias and blues the Chimeras team colours are an assault on your senses. In teams of three, Chimeras are vicious little mutants that play hard.
Introducing - The Parra Team - Lovely Loners
The anti-rivalry, Parra's collection is a style that heralds teams who never win. Celebrating participation, energy and a positive attitude; Parra's players might get picked last for the team, but they're proud of their efforts and consistently keep stepping up to the mark. Parra enthuses that ‘to participate is better than winning.' The focal point of Parra's team is a vivid, hot-coloured jacket with embroidered detail that serves as an icon for sporting underdogs who keep trying to make the grade...
Introducing the Nike Sportswear Rivalry collection
Both Cassette Playa and Parra draw on three iconic Nike Sportswear garments for the design technology that will drive their team to pursue success in battle. The NSW Collection Stadium Jacket forms a mighty focal point with both Parra and Cassette Playa's jackets constructed from a Melton wool body with Thermore® fill for maximum warmth. Premium leather sleeves, and an innovative Dri-FIT lining point to Nike Sportswear's expert heritage to which Cassette Playa and Parra have stamped their trademark subversive styles. Both team versions of this jacket feature hand-made chenille patches, paired with high quality embroidery and removable graphic pins. The Chimera and Lovely Loner Stadium Jacket is available in both a men's and women's cut.
True to Nike Sportswear's design ethos of making things better, the classic satin Nike Sportswear Destroyer jacket is transformed through innovation to become a fully functional and technical piece, while keeping all of its classic appearance. Complete with Thermore® fill Dri-FIT liner, that helps wick moisture away from the body this jacket keep you at optimum temperature. By adding licks of colour and witty slogans, the Destroyer Jacket with its 2-layer water repellent satin construction becomes the obvious choice for Cassette Playa and Parra's high performing teams. A Nike Sportswear Tee supports the Rivalry collection. Both Cassette Playa and Parra Tees are available in a men's and women's cut. The collection is completed with a classic Nike snapback baseball cap from each designer.
About Nike Sportswear
Nike Sportswear is a product line rooted in the company's passion for sport while at the same time remixing and improving iconic designs with new technologies. With almost four decades of sport history at its foundation, Nike Sportswear seeks to channel the genuine rebel spirit of Nike's roots by crafting product that challenges the expected, asking designers to push athletic innovation to its extreme, remixing iconic designs with new technologies and making the best product for today's needs. Nike Sportswear launched on 8.8.08 with eight iconic Nike products celebrating the legacy of Nike design. It includes: the Air Force 1, the Windrunner, AW 77 Hoody, the Nike Dunk, Air Max 90, Eugene Track Jacket, the Cortez and Nike Sportswear Tee. www.nikesportswear.com
About Cassette Playa
Cassette Playa, aka Carri Mundane was nominated for Menswear Designer of the year 2007, named ‘Best Fashion Designer' by Rolling Stones Magazine in 2008. The London based Global brand is a toxic mix of streetwear and luxury, combining sci fi futurist graphics with cyber symbolist digital print. Cassette Playa has styled and dressed MIA, Klaxons, Chromeo. It is also worn by Kanye West, Rhianna, MGMT, Lupe Fiasco, Ciara DJ Semtex and Roll Deep. Her clothes are sold internationally including Dover Street Market London and Colette Paris.
About Parra
The Artist, designer, illustrator, typographist and lyricist extraordinaire also has his own electronic band called Le Le. Parra's work is a rainbow of pseudo human figures, hand drawn cartoons, witty slogans and fruity colours all delivered in a vintage package wrapped in Post Pop Art wrapping paper.