Rich Mnisi’s first collaboration with adidas celebrates South African heritage and identity

Today, adidas has revealed its debut line with South African contemporary fashion designer, Rich Mnisi. This collection features a lineup of beautiful, bold pieces that celebrate Rich Mnisi’s Tsonga heritage with pieces that support a range of sports including running, cycling, swimming, and training.

Alongside these pinnacle performance pieces are statement streetwear looks featuring exaggerated silhouettes that seamlessly fuse style, color and function. The drop is also rounded off with iconic adidas footwear lines and innovation including Superstar, UltraBOOST and Forum, which have been reborn with Rich’s signature prints via a series of design accents that feature throughout.

Rich Mnisi’s dedication to push the dial on the celebration of identity is said to intersect with adidas’ belief that through sport, they have the power to change lives. The result is a line that pushes the boundaries of sport style, all with self-expression at the heart. Pieces in the collection fuse bright, bold animal prints, vibrant clashing colors, and striking abstract patterns that come together to tell the exciting story of his roots. Each piece has been designed to be worn as a standout piece or accessorised and layered for a more individual and expressive look.

Reflecting Rich Mnisi’s vision for celebrating community, habitat, and homeland environments, hero styles and performance pieces have also been made in part with recycled materials and Parley Ocean Plastic, to help end plastic waste. The campaign features his close circle and local community in South Africa, a line up of inspirational figures who he believes use their identity to push culture forward.

I am immensely proud to present this collection in collaboration with adidas, an iconic brand that I grew up seeing on People of Color that were rewriting the arts. It has been a pleasure to bring my designs to classic pieces. We have created a bright, unique collection that reflects my love for the idea of community and heritage, individuality, and self-expression. Our aim was to create pieces that supports life on and off the sports field.

The spirit of this collection celebrates our homeland, so environment was an important aspect when looking at methods and materials used in the creation process. I am so pleased we’ve used adidas’ advanced technology and partly recycled materials.

I am truly excited for the world to see this collaboration come to life.”

Hero pieces within the collection spanning performance and Originals include:

adidas x Rich Mnisi Tights priced at R749: Rich Mnisi has carved out his place in the world of fashion by unearthing Africa’s hidden treasures and celebrating his heritage. These adidas tights keep that same intent alive with an all over animal print that portrays an idyllic world where people and wildlife merge almost seamlessly. Soft, stretchy cotton keeps you comfortable all day long. Our cotton products support more sustainable cotton farming.

adidas x Rich Mnisi Swimsuit priced at R1199: Embrace a global perspective when you wear this adidas swimsuit. The colourful print is inspired by Mnisi’s homeland, a place where wildlife and city life meet. This garment is made of chlorine-resistant fabric that features ECONYL® regenerated yarn.

adidas x Rich Mnisi Headscarf priced at R849: This adidas headscarf brings his vision to life in vivid colour. The Infinitex Fitness Eco fabric is soft, lightweight and chlorine-resistant, with built-in UV coverage so you stay comfortable under the sun. The scarf ties in back for a secure, personalised fit.

adidas x Rich Mnisi UB22 priced at R3599A true representation of style intersecting with performance, the adidas x Rich Mnisi UB22 trainer, which features the classic BOOST midsole, combines with striking prints for a silhouette that makes a statement with every step.

The adidas x Rich Mnisi collection will be available from 25th February 2022 at adidas.co.za and adidas Originals and Performance stores, with prices ranging from R379 to R3599.

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