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As part of its Summer of Sport celebration, NikeLab partners with designer and creative director Riccardo Tisci to disrupt the traditional notion of training footwear and apparel. Featuring bold new silhouettes and graphics, the NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined collection marries Tisci’s creative vision with Nike’s innovative materials and sport knowledge.

“This collection represents an entirely new way of thinking for Riccardo,” says NikeLab Senior Design Director Jarrett Reynolds. “It is engineered for performance, which is unfamiliar territory for him. But that’s the beauty of collaboration — we can help bring Riccardo into the world of sport performance, which is our expertise. On the other hand, Riccardo’s vision pushed our design to a place we wouldn’t have arrived at on our own.”

Inspired by athletes training for the summer’s ultimate competition, the collection employs Nike performance technologies such as Dri-FIT and Flyknit. In addition, the modern silhouettes provide new performance solutions. For example, the NikeLab Kaleidoscope Dri-FIT 2-in-1 Short x RT blends the performance of full-length tights with the styling of shorts. Despite the two layers, the garment features just one waistband for a zero-distraction feel.

“It was interesting…a little bit of a difficult process because to make something that is very dynamic, to do sport and to do activity, and make it strongly recognizable — a fashion statement — is not easy,” Tisci says. “But we achieved something that’s amazing. There’s a lot of sensuality.”

NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined will release in two unique capsule collections with strikingly different aesthetics. The first features a signature Tisci black and white color palette. The second is highlighted by a unique juxtaposition of floral and kaleidoscope prints. The floral print includes flowers from Oregon, the home of Nike; Taranto, Italy, the home of Tisci; and Rio de Janeiro, the home of the summer’s biggest sporting event. Other subtle nods to Tisci in the floral print include stars and skulls. The kaleidoscope print provides an edgy, geometrical counter to its neighboring pattern.

The NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined collection will arrive in July 2016, with a second release scheduled the following month. Sign up at nike.com/nikelab to be notified when the collection goes on sale.

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