Bringing football beats to a hip hop backdrop, Umbro have teamed up with New York photographer Mel D Cole for their latest release - The Mel D. Cole Metropolis Soccer League Collection.
Bringing some grit to the game, the collection consists of four jerseys and five hats and looks to celebrate the everyday fixtures of New York life, from Real Bodega FC’s incorporation of iconic quarter snacks to Queens Kings United F.C.’s Big Mama’s Chicken Shack sponsor. Big shapes, a serious cut and tailored typography - the shirts are a diverse offering while football smashes into NY street fashion.
A photographer who lives at the heart of the NY Hip Hop scene, it all started for Cole when his photos of Erykah Badu and Common at a New York City concert in 2001 caught the eye of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Since then he’s gone on to become the Root’s “in-house” photographer and has shot some of hip-hop’s biggest names including a Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def and Nas. Crossing two good games, the collection is inspired by a strong look both on and off the pitch.
You can pick up a piece from the collection here.
Photography by Mel D Cole
