WORDS BY RYAN THOMPSON
If you grew up in the late eighties or early nineties and played football, you probably reached peak happiness watching a mullet-wielding Roberto Baggio rip through defences at USA ‘94 (let’s overlook the penalty shootout in the final). There’s also a good chance you were sporting something from Italy’s iconic sportswear brands - Fila, Lotto, Kappa, Diadora. Tearing up with nostalgia yet? Well wipe your eyes because said brands are making an epic comeback...
Fila
The tennis label that really took off after the Borg/McEnroe Wimbledon final of 1980 - Borg’s Settanta MkII bomber is arguably the finest piece of sportswear ever made - has stayed true to its grass (court) roots with a SS18 collection that features classic logo tees, sweatshirts and polo shirts. But it’s the sneakers, consisting of a ‘grunge’ boot in feather gray and black, and hiking-style mid-tops, that are the real aces. A departure from Fila’s traditional tennis shoes yes, but they’ll give your summer sneaker rotation a good dose of ruggedness.
Shop the look: Fila Jacket
Damir Doma x Lotto
Back in the eighties, Lotto always seemed like the Italian Umbro, specialising in team kits, tracksuits and football boots. Unlike some of its contemporaries, it never really leave the confines of the sporting arena to become a legitimate streetwear brand. But now an ingenious collaboration with Croatian contemporary designer Damir Doma has changed all that. Doma, a Milan resident for some time, has clearly got under the skin of Italian sportswear culture with this collection that channels his own dark, monochromatic tone.
Shop the look: Damir Doma x Lotto Shorts
Diadora
True sneaker heads will always doff their collective caps to Diadora, because when most of the industry shifted manufacturing to low-cost centres in the Far East, Diadora refused to let go of the ‘Made in Italy’ badge of honour. We’re so glad they did. Because their iconic N9000 kicks continue to be updated in new colourways and fabrics, with Italian craftsmanship and quality still a given. Our favourites? The green and nude suede N9000s, which we’ll wear with a pair of cropped chinos and a Stone Island polo. And on the collaboration front, Diadora are teaming up with fellow Italians MSGM to create a small range of logo-rich sweats and tees referencing the classic sportswear styles of the eighties.
Shop the look: Diadora Sneakers
Danilo Paura x Kappa
Danilo Paura has quickly established a name for himself within the next generation of Italian contemporary designers as someone who grew up wearing sportswear and whose style is heavily influenced by it. He’s now joined forces with Kappa to produce an amazing capsule that places the latter’s iconic logo front and centre. From printed oversized sweatshirts to volt yellow leather jackets, the capsule takes Danilo’s playful aesthetic to the next level.
Shop the look: Danilo Paura x Kappa Jacket
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