RICH MNISI’S FIRST COLLABORATION CELEBRATES HIS SOUTH AFRICAN HERITAGE AND IDENTITY

[Last February 2022, we unveiled] our debut line with South African contemporary fashion designer, Rich Mnisi. The collection features a lineup of beautiful, bold pieces that celebrate Rich Mnisi’s Tsonga heritage with pieces that support a range of sports including running, cycling, swimming, and training. 

Alongside these pinnacle performance pieces are statement streetwear looks featuring exaggerated silhouettes that seamlessly fuse style, color and function. The drop is also rounded off with iconic adidas footwear lines and innovation including Superstar, UltraBOOST and Forum, which have been reborn with Rich’s signature prints via a series of design accents that feature throughout. 

I am immensely proud to present this collection in collaboration with adidas, an iconic brand that I grew up seeing on People of Color that were rewriting the arts. It has been a pleasure to bring my designs to classic pieces. We have created a bright, unique collection that reflects my love for the idea of community and heritage, individuality, and self-expression. Our aim was to create pieces that supports life on and off the sports field.

The spirit of this collection celebrates our homeland, so environment was an important aspect when looking at methods and materials used in the creation process. I am so pleased we’ve used adidas’ advanced technology and partly recycled materials. I am truly excited for the world to see this collaboration come to life.

Rich Minsi, Designer

Rich Mnisi’s dedication to push the dial on the celebration of identity, intersects with adidas’ belief that through sport, they have the power to change lives. The result is a line that pushes the boundaries of sport style, all with self-expression at the heart. Pieces in the collection fuse bright, bold animal prints, vibrant clashing colors, and striking abstract patterns that come together to tell the exciting story of his roots. Each piece has been designed to be worn as a standalone stand out piece or accessorised and layered for a more individual and expressive look.

Reflecting Rich Mnisi’s vision for celebrating community, habitat, and homeland environments, hero styles and performance pieces have also been made in part with recycled materials and Parley Ocean Plastic, to help end plastic waste. Whilst the campaign features his close circle and local community in South Africa.  A line up of inspirational figures who he believes use their identity to push culture forward.

Hero pieces within the collection spanning performance and Originals include:

adidas x Rich Mnisi Track Top (HC4470): This vibrant track top with a chic elongated neckline is designed to make the wearer stand out. Featuring a collage of bold animal prints, throughout and puffy sleeves for a stylish, oversized silhouette, the jacket is designed to elevate any look, without compromising on comfort. Also available in matching track bottoms. 

adidas x Rich Mnisi Dress (HC1728):  This A-line tennis dress is elevated with fun and playful prints and merged with leading adidas performance fabrics, designed to bring a fresh style to the court.  

adidas x Rich Mnisi UB22 (LPFOO): A true representation of style intersecting with performance, the adidas x Rich Mnisi UB22 trainer, which features the classic BOOST midsole, combines with striking prints to make a statement with every step. 

The adidas x Rich Mnisi collection will be available from February 2022 on adidas.com.