Argentine graphic designer Emilio Sansolini is one fan who has taken a particularly inventive approach to putting a sense of style back into ‘the beautiful game’. In place of the slightly predictable football shirts we are all familiar with, Sansolini has brilliantly reimagined the sacred jerseys of 12 national teams as if they were designed by an iconic fashion brand from each nation.
By James Lee-Tullis
0/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Argentina, La Martina
Argentina – La Martina: Buenos Aires-based label La Martina are more noted for their upmarket polo shirts. While polo may be a favoured pursuit of Argentina’s elite, we’re intrigued by the idea of them creating a shirt for the masses on the terraces not to mention Messi, Aguero, Di Maria et al.
1/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Brazil, Reserva
Brazil – Reserva: Brazilian menswear brand Reserva offers a brilliant take on laidback, low-key leisurewear with a witty and original twist. Would a Reserva-styled Brazil shirt improve the footballing fortunes of the famous Seleção? It might take more than that.
2/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
England, Fred Perry
England – Fred Perry: The famed three lions on a Fred Perry shirt? It could be a fashion match made in heaven. The iconic British brand (actually owned by Japanese corporation Hit Union) has long been associated with street culture from mods and skinheads through to fans of northern soul and, yes, football.
3/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
France, Lacoste
France – Lacoste: Similar to Fred Perry, Lacoste is a brand that has crossed the divide from sportswear to fashion and back again. Founder René Lacoste was known as ‘the crocodile’ for his tenacious tennis game; followers of Les Bleus would hope that the embroidered logo on their team shirts might put more snap into the tackles of their players.
4/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Germany, Boss
Germany – Boss: Some would say that the reigning world champions don’t need any extra edge to intimidate their opposition. However, surely a Boss-styled jersey would further confirm the footballing authority of midfield bosses such as Özil, Kroos and Schweinsteiger.
5/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Holland, Scotch & Soda
Holland – Scotch & Soda: Bold and bubbling over with ideas, Scotch & Soda are everything that the current Oranje aren’t, having failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2016. With the team now likely to be rebuilt around younger talent like Memphis Depay and Daley Blind, surely a youthful brand like Scotch & Soda would be a perfect fit?
6/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Italy, Emporio Armani
Italy – Emporio Armani: There are two sides to Italian football, the stolid, tactical discipline of catenaccio and then the effervescent flair of Rivera, Baggio, Zola and many more. The effortless style of Armani would signify more of an accent on the beautiful side of the game.
7/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Japan, Kenzo
Japan – Kenzo: Japanese football is something of a hybrid with the organisational and tactical discipline combined with the technical flair of a Ronaldinho or a Zidane. Kenzo would be an apt symbol of those twin strengths being a French luxury brand founded by a Japanese designer, Kenzo Takada.
8/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Spain, Massimo Dutti
Spain – Massimo Dutti: In case you were wondering, there is no Massimo Dutti. The Spanish fashion giant is a trademark rather than a designer – the perfect fit for an all-conquering football team based not on individual brilliance, but rather on collective talent and a unique tiki-taka style of play.
9/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
USA, Ralph Lauren
USA – Ralph Lauren: Football, sorry soccer, has always been just a little bit different in the States. Times are changing, though, and what better way of celebrating the sport’s resurgence after the NASL glory days of the 1970s than with a true icon of American fashion.
10/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Portugal, Sacoor Brothers
Portugal – Sacoor Brothers: The Portuguese national team has always been something of a footballing enigma. Despite a succession of genius playmakers in the shape of Eusébio, Paulo Futre and Cristiano Ronaldo they remain great to watch, but utterly unsuccessful. Would the sophisticated style of a Sacoor Brothers shirt change that?
11/13
Culture
The Beautiful Game.
Scotland, Lyle & Scott
Scotland – Lyle & Scott: Sansolini has already introduced polo and tennis influences, so why not golf, too? Lyle & Scott is a traditional golf knitwear brand that has successfully allied new, fashionable ideas to its tried and tested talents. If only the same could be said of the Scottish football team…
Discover more of Emilio Sansolini’s brilliant designs at behance.com
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