The lack of functionality over fashion is better observed or even experienced by most women in the area of sports, particularly in basketball. In response to this lack of functionality, Nike, one of the market's largest athletic clothing brands, launched its first line of basketball apparel for female athletes. And in order to totally understand the needs of female basketball athletes, Nike enlisted women to design the said sports gear. According to the report of mashable, Nike enlisted the help of Sue Bird for the Elite Basketball performance collection, WNBA players Elena Delle Donne, Skylar Diggins, Chiney Ogwumike and the women's basketball team of University of Connecticut.
This great move of Nike, allowing women to design basketball gears that would fit their needs, is a testament that the sports (basketball) world strongly dominated by men is gradually being opened up for women. Many female athletes have been waiting for this opportunity to come, as to the words of Skylar Diggins, she stated that, "This is giving us what we want and need. I have been waiting for this forever."
The need for female sports apparel that is more on functionality over fashion has been strongly been felt by every female athlete. A published article on mashable last July likewise highlighted how Muslim girls designed their own basketball uniforms, including velcro hijabs. And perhaps this work of Nike focusing on female basketball apparel would inspire more female athletes to work hard on their chosen sports. Such focus for female sports clothing line was truly emphasized through the statement of Chris Burke, Nike global apparel director, via mashable saying that;
"We did a lot of focus groups with both high school and professional basketball players from across the country to make sure we were creating the right styles and incorporating the wants and needs for the female athlete."
What do you think about the move of Nike enlisting women to design female sports apparel? Feel free to share and comment below.
