In a large company, it is very difficult for a single design concept to be carried throughout the entire process…from beginning to end. Think about it. You have an idea. A spark of inspiration. Now think of the number of steps this project must go thru before it finally reaches shop shelves and into YOU, the consumers hands. By that time, your beloved concept is typically reduced to a tagline or bullet point. Meanwhile, you the designer, are probably onto the next great thing. Case in point: “SKULLS.”
The concept behind the recent Nike release, known on the streets as “SKULLS” was a dope one. Deep in tradition, sport and history. What started as an idea by some of Nike’s Beaverton Running crew (John Truax and Todd Lewis) of bringing the best of the Northwest together on campus for a “friendly” race, has turned into the highlight of the Cross Country season in Oregon and Washington. Why the Skulls? You need to experience the race to truly understand the passion.
Have you seen Gladiator? Remember Russell Crowe’s speech to his army at the beginning of the movie…Getting his troops ready for battle, and death…If it sounds intense, it is. The teams start off on opposing sides of the Ronaldo Pitch (arguably the best Pitch in the Northwest). One Team in Green. One Team in Blue. In the middle of the pitch a small path that takes the runners through a run around the Nike World Headquarters. Why the skulls? Because when the gun sounds, these kids turn into warriors, first one to the path has the advantage. Best of the Best. The Skulls is a logo used on the singlet of the Oregon and Washington teams. Because this isn’t a OSAA or WSAA sanctioned event, the kids can’t rock their school uniforms. It’s crazy because now kids train harder for this than for any sanctioned event. BORDERCLASH as the race is called, is the creative inspiration for this collection.
Unfortunately, because of whatever lack of communication, and to no fault of any one particular person/group…This collection is simply known as SKULLS. It pains me to see this, so I am just trying to set the record straight. For all the designers out there whose ideas were ever misappropriated.
