Adidas, the renowned sportswear brand, has announced its latest collaboration with South African queer designer Rich Mnisi, unveiling a unique collection and campaign for Pride 2023 under the theme ‘Let Love Be Your Legacy‘.
Adidas links with Rich Mnisi for ‘Pride 2023’ collection
Aligned in their commitment to fostering allyship and promoting unfiltered self-expression across sports and culture, the Adidas x RICH MNISI range encompasses a diverse selection of apparel and footwear, spanning lifestyle and performance categories such as Adidas Originals, football, cycling, sports and swimwear.
Driven by a deeply personal love letter penned by Mnisi to his younger self, the designer revealed this collection serves as both a testament to his mission and a rallying cry for active allyship in empowering and championing the LGBTQIA+ community.
As part of the campaign, Adidas has enlisted influential figures including Tom Daley, Jari Jones, and Athlete Ally to contribute their own heartfelt “Love Letters,” encouraging radical self-acceptance and urging communities within culture and sport to provide unwavering support.
Joining them in showcasing the collection is South African rugby player Lusanda Dumke.
The vibrant colour palette of the Adidas x RICH MNISI collection is infused with slogans like “Love Unites” and “Let Love Be Your Legacy,” boldly printed onto the fabric, inspiring wearers to lead with love and uphold inclusive values.
The apparel and footwear feature Mnisi’s distinctive retro graphic print, characterised by a monochrome circular check design adorned with hand-drawn flowers and abstract shapes in vibrant, lively hues.
The iconic Adidas three-stripe is prominently accentuated in pink and red. Furthermore, the collection includes garments crafted partially from recycled materials in collaboration with Better Cotton, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
Commenting on the collaboration and collection, Rich Mnisi expressed his intention to speak to his inner child and highlight how LGBTQIA+ allyship can create a lasting legacy of love.
“In creating this collection, I had a strong impulse to speak to my inner-child and express to the world how LGBTQIA+ allyship can create a legacy of love. Unifying these themes together through my own visual language and Adidas’ iconic performance and lifestyle pieces is a powerful combination – making the collection a symbol for self-acceptance and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. My hope is this range inspires LGBTQIA+ allies to speak up more for the queer people they love and not let them fight for acceptance alone,” he said.
The Adidas x Rich Mnisi collection dropped on the retailer’s online and physical stores on Monday.