Here, I'll paste the press release..
PUMA Launches “Italia” Kit
PUMA and Neil Barrett launch the 2004 Italian National Team kit and lifestyle apparel range. Named creative director of PUMA’s Italia Collection in 2003, Neil Barrett provided the creative vision of the new football playing kit and lifestyle apparel range, and personally designed the official formalwear for the team. The team will represent Italy in the complete kit on March 31st against Portugal.
Neil Barrett’s close association with Italy and Italian design stems from his experience as Senior Menswear Designer at Gucci, Design Director of Prada Menswear and the launch of his own brand name collection. Neil Barrett worked closely with PUMA’s design team to combine the brand’s technical sport expertise with his fashion sensibility for a full spectrum of Italia products that spans performance sport, lifestyle and fashion. The inspiration for the new playing kit came from protective armour worn by Roman gladiators blended with Barrett’s signature “layered” garments.
Neil Barrett specifically designed a formal “representation suit” for the players. The team officials, both men and women, will also wear a PUMA suit designed by Barrett.
The lifestyle range accommodates both the needs of loyal fans and casual apparel consumers looking for sportswear with a twist. The “fanwear” spotlights the Italia team logo, integrating the Italian flag and crest branding. Key elements of this range include the integration of embroidered badges and stars, which represent the number of World Cup wins by the Italian National Football, and the distressed washes and treatment of the garments, which provide an aged look.
The collection includes t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, hoodies, cargo pants, 7/8 length pants, jackets and accessories featuring the colors new navy, snow white, java brown, yellow and Azzurri blue. All PUMA Italia products will be available in early April in PUMA Flagship Stores and select retailers.
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Taken from
http://www.pumafootball.com
Which boasts an awesome Azzurri flash intro. I have a suspicion that the song used may be the official song for Italy this summer, can anyone identify/find out what song it is? It sounds appealing.
