From Beckham’s infamous sarong to Ronaldo’s iconic underwear campaigns, footballers and fashion have always gone hand in hand, for better or worse. Italian fashion house Dsquared2 recently tapped into this long-standing link, announcing a new ‘Champions League’ collection as part of an ongoing partnership with Manchester City football club.
Rooted in a blend of sharp tailoring, classic silhouettes and relaxed denim, the capsule collection was inspired by the disparate personalities of players including Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Agüero, as well as manager Pep Guardiola, all of whom star in the exclusive launch video. The club’s insignia features heavily throughout, discreetly adorning blazers, bomber jackets and t-shirts.
“Our work is shaped by our passion for the game and for the faces of this team, as well as our close friendship with Pep Guardiola,” said Dsquared2 co-founders Dan and Dean Caten of the creative relationship. “We worked closely with him and the rest of the team to define each piece. The looks celebrate the youth, athleticism and contemporary masculinity of these amazing and stylish players and their coach.”
The players have all acted as muses of sorts, inspiring the collection and wearing it religiously while travelling to and from football games. They collectively embody the aesthetic of Dsquared2: A fusion of detail-oriented tailoring and sporty, lightweight fabrics, the brand caters to men wanting to look slick but never stuffy. “Manchester City is particularly excited by this collection from Dsquared2,” enthused Damian Willoughby, the club’s senior VP of partnerships. “It’s fantastic to have such innovative and creative partners on board.”