NIKE PRO FH23 — Women’s Apparel Color Design

Megan Thee Stallion and Tara Nicolas wear Nike Pro FH23. Photo by Caydie McCumber via @taranicolas.

BRAND: Nike | nike.com | Beaverton, OR
DATE: 2022
INDUSTRY: Apparel — Women’s Performance
ROLE: Color Designer
DELIVERABLES: Apparel Color Design, Moodboards, Image Research, Concept Ideation, Presentation
COLLABORATORS:
Apparel Design —Emiko McCoy
Graphic Design — Toshiki (Eddie) Nakagawa
Tech Designer — Michiya Stine
Product Management — Erica DeTar, Keyanna Spann


CONSUMER PROFILE — Athlete I

—AGE: 20s-30s
—works hard in the gym
—invests in elevated styles for her workout
—flaunts her strength + curves

Photo via @libbychristensen


Rapper Megan Thee Stallion wears Purple Ink/Rush Fuchsia
Nike Global Trainer Tara Nicolas wears Blue Joy/Blue Tint

Images by Caydie McCumber via Instagram. @taranicolas

FH23 COLORWAYS

FALL 23 — Purple Ink / Rush Fuchsia

Fall/Holiday 23 — Cargo Khaki / Honeydew

Fall/Holiday 23 — Black / Iron Grey

Holiday 23 — Black / Lt Lemon Twist

Holiday 23 — Bliue Joy / Blue Tint

Holiday 23 — Fireberry / Ice Peach



CONSUMER PROFILE — Athlete II

Photo via @uclagymnastics.

—AGE: high school-college
—team sports enthusiast, especially cheerleading + volleyball
—full of school spirit
—loves bold color, graphics + print


In FH23, the word ‘performance’ goes beyond athletic function.

Each novelty pack for Athlete II is centered on a different sport, in which facets of theatricality — style, color, music, poise, expression — are not considered frivolous, but play an integral role.

Cheerleading, rhythmic gymnastics and artistic gymnastics — though not exclusively for women, they're often regarded as "women's sports" and perhaps taken less seriously. I was excited to bring them into the spotlight.


GRAPHIC PACK FH23 — CHEERLEADING

Purple Cosmos / Rush Fuchsia — Honeydew / Cargo Khaki — Industrial Blue / University Blue — Fireberry / Laser Fuchsia — Rugged Orange / Safety Orange

Bold graphics, in a palette of classic team colors, capture the extroverted energy of cheerleading. I watched the Netflix doc Cheer while designing color for this pack. I was impressed by the cast's grit and ambition.

Gabi Butler of the Netflix series Cheer. Image via Instagram @gabibutler1617

PRINT PACK FA23 — RHYTHmIC GYMNASTICS

Noble Red / Picante Red — Black / Iron Grey

An allover print, emulating a ribbon in motion. The ribbon is one of five apparatus used in rhythmic gymnastics. Lift Up, a stunning short film by Agostina Gálvez, exemplifies the beauty of this sport and served as great inspiration.

WATCH THE SHORT FILM —



SHINE PACK HOLIDAY 23 — artistic gymnastics

Blue Joy / Silver — Deep Jungle / Silver — Black / Silver

Focusing on sparkle, a key element of artistic gymnastics. Styles feature shine blocking and metallic silver branding. While working on this glitzy pack, I watched UCLA gymnast Sekai Wright’s viral floor routine on repeat. Seeing her do backflips to DMX is exhilarating.

Sekai Wright, February 2022. Image via Sports Illustrated.

All product images via nike.com, finishline.com, jdsports.co.uk, zalando.co.uk and asos.com.