Nike has always strived to be innovators in mixing fashion to their performance wear, and have taken it to the next level with their Nike Tight of The Moment collaboration with Japanese artist Yuko Kanatani. The collaboration is collection of three tights, with the first suitably titled ‘Magical Kaleidoscope’ launching last Friday.
The tights boast a bright and bold pattern inspired by kaleidoscopes, body mapping and thermal imagining – a natural extension of the colorful work Yuko creates. However, the project’s design process pushed the Tokyo-based artist well outside her comfort zone. “At the beginning of the project, needing to match my drawings to a moving body was quite a hurdle,” Yuko says. “But it was also very inspiring and interesting to have outside direction and try something new.”
The print has been extended into bra tops and into studio wrap packs (made up of a wrap, a ribbon and a ballet flat), and is available only in limited runs; only forty pairs of the tights are available in Australia.
To celebrate the launch of the tights, a small group of girls were invited to a morning of fitness, fashion, and girl talk at the first women’s-only Nike store in Australia – Nike Camberwell in Bourke Road. The concept store reaches more than just a retail point for Nike, but offers a personalised shopping experience with staff trained to help you find your perfect fit to get you ready to work out.
To begin the morning, each of us were treated to a one-on-one fitting for our new workout gear, and treated to Nike inspired manicures, courtesy of I-Scream Nails. After pouring through the store and the new collection. We headed to Camberwell Pilates & Yoga to test if the tights were as practical as they are beautiful.
The tights themselves are incredibly lightweight and breathe well. What was most impressive is that even in the bendiest of yoga positions, the colour in the fabric doesn’t stretch out. Having never worn any type of footwear during yoga before, I was impressed with the grip and stability the studio wraps awarded me – plus the ballet flats are a fashionable alternative to traditional gym footwear.
After our workout, we were treated to a delicious breakfast, courtesy of This Is Wholesome to continue our healthy morning, and reenergise us for the rest of the day.
Limited stocks of the NTM-Magical Kaleidoscope will be available at Nike in Camberwell from Friday, January 31, but if you miss out, the collection’s remaining two designs will roll out in the coming months. The tights RRP at $180, the bra is $90, and the Studio Wrap pack is $160.
Images courtesy of Nike Australia
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