Haider Ackerman and FILA Team Up

With romantic collections defined by his sensual use of silks and velvets, sportswear doesn’t immediatley spring to mind when thinking of Haider Ackermann. The Colombian-born designer is about to subvert all our expectations in his first collaboration with sportswear giant FILA. The Italian brand has tapped Ackermann to design a capsule collection featuring menswear, womenswear and accessories that will be unveiled in a special fashion show in Manchester on 17 November.

‘Unknown things make my heart beat faster, because I believe in the power of the unexpected, so I willingly took on the challenge.' Ackermann explains. 'In visiting the extensive FILA archives, I was struck by how elegant sportsmen were on the playing field back in the day. My aim is to elaborate on that, keeping the feeling of unexpectedness that is so important for me’.

For over a century FILA has been an active player in the sportswear market reaching peak popularity in the 70s thanks to a deal inked with tennis champion Bjorn Borg. While it’s the 90s most people associate with the brand — in large part due to its instantly recognisable chunky trainers like the Disruptor II — recent years have seen the brand look to the high-fashion market. In 2018 FILA and Fendi teamed up for a capsule collection fusing both the Italian brand's iconic logos. At the moment it's a mystery what Ackermann has up his sleeve with the dashing designer clad in stark white in the announcement photos. With all set to be revealed in Manchester come November, we're certain it'll be imbued with the designer's emotive ethos.

The Haider Ackermann x FILA collaboration will be unveiled with a fashion show in Manchester on 17 November.