CR7 Collection Launch Event Madrid - Part 2/2
In this second part of the CR7 Collection launch event, we go on-stage and behind-the-curtains with the key personnel in Madrid and at Nike. There's a reason this unique collection wouldn't work for any player other than Cristiano Ronaldo, and in Andy Caine's words - It all starts with the athlete, everything we do starts with the athlete .
A simple yet striking sentiment delivered to the world's media, but to further the story we need to bring you up to speed. As you'll have experienced in the first part of our CR7 launch event, to understand the collection is to understand the man. Madrid is Cristiano's home, the Bernabeu is where he plays his football, but it's his off-pitch persona and lifestyle that inspired the range.
It was time for Nike's guests to experience first-hand Cristiano's love of music. So next up was a visit to the Red Bull recording studios for a session with three prominent figures in the music industry, which included DJ Graham Thunder. You might have seen clips of Cristiano and close friend Pepe enjoying time in the studio, well now this venue was taken over by the world's select media, armed with instruments ranging from the synthesizer to the maracas! 
Although fortunately we can't bring you the track we helped to create, we did learn that music and the coming together of a song, much like in football is a team effort. And buoyed by our musical experience and a release of positive endorphins, it was time for the main event, time for the full unveiling of the collection and to meet Cristiano Ronaldo.
The launch event venue was a stone's throw away from the recording studios. Passing through a draped curtain we emerged in a darkened room, with attention drawn to the pair of CR7 Mercurials lit up on a pedestal in front of a screen of flickering images of Cristiano Ronaldo. Passing around the screen we found ourselves in a seated area, in front of which were three empty stools silhouetted by a vast canvas featuring the collection logo.
Unbeknownst to all attending, Cristiano's Real Madrid team-mate Pepe was the first guest to be welcomed on stage. An uncompromising defender who gives 110% on the pitch, Pepe is a close friend who was happy to provide us with an insight into what sets Ronaldo apart: He works very hard, pushes himself and keeps his good friends very close. His evolution as a player is marked by him always striving to be the best, to be the number one player. 
Ronaldo's pursuit of perfection and to be the best cannot be argued, and we soon learned this to be one of the inspirations behind the collection, from Nike's Creative Director Andy Caine the next guest to be welcomed on stage. Andy informed us Cristiano is a perfection driven player, and it's his persona that drives the design of his collections.
But where previously Nike have taken his on-pitch persona and amplified this - with Safari looking at speed and a bright cultural animal print - the new CR7 Collection has switched to draw inspiration from his off-pitch persona. Off the pitch he's very stylish, so it's a more sophisticated and more mature look to the entire collection. In terms of design, the filters are sophistication and modernity which is reflected in a different use of materials and colours, to resonate with Cristiano Ronaldo's persona.
By launching this new collection, Cristiano has reached the dizzy heights in sporting stardom achieved by a select few. Ronaldo accompanies names like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and David Beckham in having their own bespoke range and logo. So when Cristiano made his entrance on stage to a rounding applause, he was keen to acknowledge: The collection is fantastic, it's beautiful, to be part of this with Nike is a dream.
Being drawn on his logo Cristiano said: The logo is quite special. Either you love or you hate, it's like me and my personality, either you love me or you hate me . A very honest summary indeed, and his honesty shone through more when the banter began on stage with Pepe. After the audience was shown a video of Cristiano and Pepe in the recording studio, Cristiano responded: Pepe is shy and I'm not a good singer, but I try, and it's good fun, I enjoy it a lot. 
The new CR7 Collection is an insight into the man from Nike. Cristiano Ronaldo has a persona off the pitch, and this has provided the inspiration and drive behind the new range. We're not saying Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer, and we're certainly not saying he's the best singer or guitarist! But we're acknowledging that Cristiano Ronaldo is a multi-faceted driven individual, who has matured and developed a more stylish and sophisticated persona, which we reckon Nike have done a pretty good job at encapsulating in the latest CR7 Collection.
Stay tuned for our exclusive chat with Cristiano Ronaldo, and our full launch event video coming soon. To see more of Cristiano Ronaldo's new Nike CR collection, click here. To get a complete run-down of his new Mercurial Vapor VIII football boots click here. As always, let us know what you think of Ronaldo's new wardrobe! Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
