With the Football (ahem, ‘Soccer’ for our Antipodean and Stateside readers) World Cup finally drawn to a conclusion, I have to confess my personal allegiance has left me lamenting the English boys loss, no ‘Bringing It Home’ this time round! Now the mourning period is over, I’m drawn to reminisce on the many football fashion moments this tournament has inspired. While Nigeria launched a Missoni-esque kit that sold out in minutes with 30 million pre-orders, Virgil Abloh was releasing an Off-White cult jersey just in time for commencement competition. At the same time, we’re seeing the SS18 Versace models sporting team scarves and Prada pairing football socks with kitten heels. It’s fair to say the fashion game is well and truly on - and since we’re talking the ‘World’s Game’, you’re never truly out of season when it comes to this surprising style reference.
Unfortunately there is still a judgement on the relationship between fashion and football - or more significantly - women and football. Despite the fact that 30 million women play football worldwide, in many countries, they’re also excluded, questioned and accused - of being either manly or too feminine - of intruding in what’s considered a masculine domain - and in some places, they are even banned from attending games. Women have a long way to go when it comes to equality in sports, and while it would be very ideal to see even representation, until more women are fans of football and other sports, interest in female athletes won’t represent certain feminist ideals. The first hurdle here is acceptance, women being welcomed in the sporting domain - the antithesis of the kind of harassment endured by female athletes and commentators. Fashion is a uniting and embracing factor.
I grew up a personal stylist Mum and a Glasgow Rangers loving Dad - so both interests were ingrained in me. I have always thought why can’t we be both? Why can’t my love of sophisticated glamour coexist with my love of the game. One of my aims in styling this editorial was to break down these constructs, shooting with the conviction that an interest in fashion doesn’t minimize one’s ability to love/play football.
Look 1 - Pyjama Set Sleepy Jones, USA Scarf U.S. Soccer Store, Earrings Uterqüe
Look 2 - Shorts Prada, Real Madrid Jersey Adidas, Raincoat Vintage Burberry, ‘Can We Play’ Scarf K8olo, Shoes Tibi
Championing my very thought is the biannual publication SEASON, the beautiful lovechild of a fashion mag and a football zine. Women who enjoy fashion and football are showcased in everything from editorials, illustrations and even interviews with the likes of FKA twigs’ make-up artist Naoko Scintu and British Vogue‘s Associate Fashion Editor Verity Parker.
Editor and Chelsea Fan Felicia Pennent spoke to i-D saying “Women like me, who are into fashion and football are more common than you’d think - but we are often overlooked or sexualised in the football landscape. I wanted to document and celebrate female fandom creatively.”
Look 3 - Dress Cinq á Sept, Argentina Jersey Adidas, Belt Tibi, Boots Stuart Weitzman
Look 4 - Trousers Pinko, Jacket and Shoes Tibi, Saint Germain Paris Jersey Nike
For the styling of this shoot what got me most excited and inspired was the vibrancy and colour of the South American street football culture, along with the laidback, boyish style of the UK’s Premier League fans. Mixing feminine details like silk and feathers with relaxed, sporty elements is a fun and easy combination both Z and I are excited to add to our own ensembles. To top it off, having Irish artist and designer K8olo’s scarves included was something significant to the message of the shoot. Blazoned across one side is “Can We Play?”, a frequently asked question and an acknowledgement to how girls are consistently excluded from sport.
Words by Emma Simpson
Look 5 - Suit and belt Tibi, Scarf Club America
Look 6 - Pants Jean Atelier, Crop top & Other Stories, Blazer Reemami, Bag Myriam Schaefer, PSG Socks Nike, Shoes Tibi
Look 7 - Dress Zimmerman, Blazer Tibi, Spain Scarf Adidas, Shoes Adidas Predator Tango
Look 8 - Suit, Belt, Pants, Shoes Tibi, Scarf Club America, Socks Topshop
