From runways to astroturf: Marchesa’s doing a designer collaboration with… the NFL?

Left: Photography by Ed Yourdon/Flickr; Right: Photography by Peter Stigter
Left: Photography by Ed Yourdon/Flickr; Right: Photography by Peter Stigter

Though football apparel doesn’t usually bring to mind thoughts of high-end fashion, that notion is about to change. The NFL is taking on the boys-only mentality of the league’s fandom by focusing on women’s apparel, including a collaboration with Marchesa.

Designer Georgina Chapman got tapped for a limited edition T-shirt that will be unveiled this fall, when football season kicks off. No images have been released yet, but we can only hope that Chapman will add some of the opulent touches that have become Marchesa signatures. (Organza peplums or intricate gold embroidery, perhaps?) Needless to say, we’re intrigued.

The one-off collection will be part of the NFL’s new drive to empower female fans, as part of an ongoing “It’s My Team” campaign. The ads will feature female football fans such as former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and Olympic swimmer Summer Saunders decked out in both designer wares featuring logos from the 32 NFL teams. We’d be quick to judge this effort as somewhat sexist, but considering that team logos are already available on everything from pizzas to furniture it’s actually surprising a high-end designer collaboration has taken this long.

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