Nike FFF Launch Event Paris
Former World and European Champions France are accustomed to a certain flair, finesse and style, all of which were on show at the launch event for the new Nike FFF football kit in Paris. SoccerBible was privileged enough to be invited to the event to bring our fans all the news and action from the launch...
French football has reached the dawning of a new era, which is being symbolised by a new and unique partnership with Nike football and the launching of the innovative and inspirational new France football shirt.
The event was hosted in the French capital Paris, and as anyone who's been there will agree, it is a truly stunning and inspiring venue. The guest list included star names from both French football and Nike, including Laurent Blanc, Florent Malouda and Abou Diaby.
Nike President and CEO Mark Parker began the proceedings and briefed us on Nike's mission in football to be inspirational, interact with players and work with the most passionate fans, and on all accounts the new partnership with the French Football Federation ticked the boxes.
"France is one of the most successful and well known teams in the world and we look forward to delivering innovative products to help them perform on the pitch," said Mark Parker. "This is a significant moment for Nike Football and we are proud to be the official partner of the French Federation and to be part of the future of French football."
Before the new French Football kit was officially unveiled, we heard from members of the FFF and more importantly the Global Apparel Product Manager FFF Romain Gardair (stay tuned to the SoccerBible for an exclusive interview with Romain), informing us on the research and development that went into creating the new Nike France Home shirt. Including visiting 16 countries to study people's opinions on what the new shirt should represent and how it should look, leading to the 3 points of design; diversity/powerful mosaic, unpredictable/creative and elegance/fashion.
With our appetites firmly wetted for the reveal of the new Nike FFF football shirt, the dramatic music and light show began to signal the imminent arrival of the shirt and players. The curtain dropped to a crescendo of music, revealing Florent Malouda and his French national team-mates Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra and Yann M'vila.
Standing statuesque the players modelled the FFF football kit to a warm reception, the kit featuring a clean design is sure to cause plenty of discussion. But of course, as well as modeling the kit we were keen to hear what the players themselves thought.
Florent Malouda was first to step forward and share his opinion, telling us the new FFF shirt was comfortable and pleasing, you feel good wearing it and that when he first saw the preview he wanted to keep it, and not give it back! All Florent's sentiments were echoed by his team-mates, with M'Vila adding that he felt proud wearing it and liked the elegance of the shirt . Abou Diaby was more taken with the fact it is lightweight and not too tight , and Diarra commented that it will help him to be mobile and it is comfortable and light .
Of course, whether these players get to wear the shirt competitively will depend on one man - Laurent Blanc - so it was only right we heard the reaction of the French coach. For Blanc in particular, the shirt represents the dawning of a new era and philosophy in French football.
Blanc commented: "This jersey represents the spirit of French elegance, something recognized all over the world. The true collar, the new blue, the addition of the red really enhance the new kit. It goes well with the philosophy I want to create: creativity, humbleness and ambition."
Laurent Blanc and the FFF's philosophy of playing the beautiful game with elegance, style and creation will continue throughout Nike's promotional campaign for the shirt and will feature the war-cry Vive Le Football Libre , which translates as Long Live Free Football .
The new France football shirt is different from any before, which was a very intentional move from Romain Gardair. The shirt is close-cut and features a deep blue colour, a mix of navy blue and the blue from the Tricolore. The sleeves have been lowered and can be customised by being rolled up to show the red material, representative of the unpredictable/creativity. And the badge has been simplified to a pure simple white design, which has been thermo-glued onto the shirt and seamlessly attached to the shirt.
The design of the new France home football shirt adheres to the tradition and standards of French style and design excellence while enabling players to perform at their best every time they pull on the famous French shirt. The kit will be worn for the first time in the game against Brasil at Stade de France on 9th February, and you can check out our review of the new FFF football shirt in it's exclusive showcase box by clicking here.
Stay tuned to the SoccerBible for our exclusive interviews from the designer of the new kit along with French internationals Florent Malouda, Abou Diaby and Yann M'Vila!
