The NFL and CFDA come together again to present an odd but beautiful collaboration for both the fashion and the sports world.
The Super Bowl is no longer the same as its beginnings back in 1967, now incorporating lavish half time shows, competitive TV spots, and so much more. Keeping with the new tradition of “bigger is always better” the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) pair up with the NFL to bring a new luxurious treat for the eyes.
This isn’t the first time the two groups worked together, in 2014 the collaboration of artists and athletes brought the creation of designer made helmets. The helmets serve more of a (expensive) decorative fashion piece rather than a practical athletic use. This year it’s the same concept but a new look. Designers of the CFDA joined together to create 50 designer footballs that will be auctioned off starting January 20th till February 14th and all the profits will be going to the non-profit NFL foundation.
The designers include people like Prabal Gurung, Marchesa, Rachel Roy, Suno, and many more. The footballs matched each designer’s aesthetic and usual flourish. All the footballs highlight the celebration of the 50th Super Bowl coming up, including one tribute to Vince Lombardi himself. The event brought out the creativity of many designers, like Betsy Johnson who remembered her helmet design for the previous year and introduced her football following a similar pattern for her latest collection. All the footballs have been put up on the NFL official website so global bids can be placed, the physical products are on display in San Francisco. They will continue to be showcased in the week leading up to the big game, fans of both fashion and the sport are able to see the footballs through social media as each designer has taken to Instagram to share their creations and a little bit about the creative process.
It’s not only a great combination of two very different organizations and minds, but the byproduct of the collaboration all provide for a good cause.
