The Rise of the Valkyrie

In the February 2012 ad campaign featuring NFL Rookie of the Year Cam Newton, he was seen wearing the Valkyrie short- originally designed for Spring 2011 basketball. The "Big Logo short" as it came to be known inside the office walls, has grown to be the highest selling basketball short in Under Armour's history. Watch the video to see more images and check out more images after the jump.

The Making of An Icon

I began my Under Armour tenure designing strictly basketball but in Spring 2011, I was given the opportunity to reinvigorate the Team Sports category- specifically baseball. One of the first changes I wanted to make was create sports-specific icons that would help differentiate the baseball line from the rest of the categories. The futuristic home plate on All Star Shortstop Jose Reyes' tee came to be the official baseball icon for all Under Armour baseball product and signage. Check out some more pictures after the jump and the original sketch of the baseball icon.

Alabama Wins the 2012 BCS National Championship

For the second year in a row, the BCS Football National Champion has come from the SEC Conference- the Alabama Crimson Tide. To commemorate Alabama's victory, I'm posting some of the NCAA football heritage tees that I designed for Mitchell & Ness. They were released in Fall '09 and constructed of 100% Ringspun Cotton using distressed water-based inks for the front chest graphic as well as the back neck facing detail. The tees paid homage to each school's storied football past and were inspired by old game tickets, programs and stickers. Check out more detailed views after the jump.

2012 NFL Combine short

Many football insiders jokingly refer to the NFL Combine as the "Underwear Olympics" due to the sheer number of athletes dashing, bench-pressing and jumping in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium in little more than compression tops, tights, socks and cleats. Its the ultimate show-me-what-you-got job interview for aspiring NFL players. And just as in every performance, there must be zero distractions. This is the reason why the stretch woven short seen above was designed.

Elite 24 Player Edition Bonded Hoody

Kyle Anderson is the smooth leader behind St. Anthony's HS (Jersey City, NJ) undefeated season and national #2 ranking in the country. He has commited to play at UCLA next year and could very well be in the NBA Draft this time next year. He is wearing the Elite 24 player's only edition of the bonded sweater hoody. Check out more detailed shots...

MPZ Football

Under Armour's first innovation was on the football field when the company starting selling compression-fitting shirts to be worn under the players' pads in extreme conditions of hot or cold weather. 1996 seems like lifetime ago once you see the evolution of the football uniform that players wear today. "MPZ" stands for Maximum Protection Zones and it represents the most technical impact top and shorts anywhere. Worn by elite players at every competitive level, including the NFL, these styles utilize EVA foam in the exact areas where collisions occur most on the field. Check out more images...

2010 NBA All Star Weekend- Brandon Jennings

"I want to thank Nick for designing this sick hoody for me..."

During Brandon's first year in the NBA, he set the Rookie scoring record by racking up 55 points and he was awarded a spot in the annual Rookies vs. Sophomores Game. Prior to the game, Brandon was seen hanging out in Texas in the UA Special Ops hoody conducting interviews and relaxing before the game. Check out some detailed shots after the jump.

Snoop wearing Mitchell & Ness Warmup

In the February 2010 issue of Complex magazine, Snoop Dogg was featured wearing a Lakers warmup jacket from the Spring '09 collection that I designed for Mitchell & Ness. The NBA All-Star game was being held in Phoenix that year and the inspiration came from the first year the city of Phoenix hosted the event in 1975. The street style in the '70's included afros and tie-dye shirts but also really fitted, classic-looking track jackets. The collar is a bit higher in the front so it lays flat when unzipped- a subtle nod to the butterfly collars of the 1970's.

Under the Armour featuring Brandon Jennings

Brandon loves these shorts and apparently others do to...

While the NBA was in lockout prior to the 2012 season, Milwaukee Bucks point guard was as busy as ever. From traveling coast to coast and playing in summer leagues to interning at Under Armour headquarters in Baltimore. Brandon's summer was chronicled in a viral video series entitled Under the Armour. Check out some of the All-Star weekend episode after the jump and notice what he's wearing- that's my work!

Behind The Design: The Michael Jordan X Mitchell & Ness jersey

It wasn't too long after I left And1 (2006) to run my own design business that I received an email from my good friends at Mitchell & Ness asking if I had time to discuss something rather monumental they were working on. I met them at a Marathon Grill, located in Center City Philadelphia and just around the corner from the company's main office near Broad street. While dining on a grilled chicken sandwich, Sean, the M&N president, began to inform me of this unique opportunity that they negotiated with Michael Jordan- the exclusive rights to design and sell his authentic NBA jerseys that his Airness wore throughout his playing career. And so my contribution to the project would encompass the creative side of the jersey release i.e. design, packaging and marketing. Needless to say, there was very little convincing involved. I was all in.

Team USA- Under 22 Squad

Some of the best kids in the nation are traveling all over Europe and destroying the competition as a part of Team USA (22 and under) and doing so in the practice uniforms and travel gear that I designed for the Spring/ Summer 2012 basketball collection. My intention was to design a more upscale travel warmup that is water-resistant and comfortable but also looks more like a lifestyle suit.
Check out some more images after the jump.

INFORMANT interview @ Agenda NY 2012

 

Shortly after I registered online for the 2012 Agenda trade show, I received an email from the Creative Director at KBS+ P asking if I would be willing to be interviewed for their Informant video series with leading brand managers, founders and directors in the action sports and streetwear industry. The roll out is hosted by Amy Gunther of KCDC New York, and gets an insiders perspective on new and established brands, how technology is influencing their business, and what’s driving trend. An interview? Yes! A great excuse to flex my industry jargon and get a fresh haircut. Click here to see me speak.