Many of the moves Reebok has been launching in the last few months, seem to have been made without the restraints of adidas. The company has smartly crafted their collaborative efforts and their in-line product to do something critical to their success. What’s critical? Chipping into the market control of Nike and their classic Air Force 1. While the Club C isn’t on par with the heritage and lore of the Uptown, this doesn’t mean that Reebok shouldn’t begin to establish the model as an alternative. This collab with Prince (the tennis company… not the royal Purple One -RIP), is timely for the end of summer and most important there is a heritage most sneaker enthusiasts who weren’t around in the late 80s and early 90s tied into this launch.
As the Golden Age of Hip-Hop began, a funny thing happened. People were rocking tennis apparel as a part of their everyday style. It didn’t matter than the hood wasn’t paying attention to McEnroe or Agassi (both Nike men) or Martina and Chris, people across demographics were picking sets from Fila, Sergio Tacchini, Diadora and Ellesse. The polo shirts and shorts with bright colors led to the Nautica inspired era. Most people overlook this time, but I remember it vividly as the go to before Blacktop and Cross Trainers morphed into Timbs and tank tops when Wu-Tang, Nas and Biggie came to prominence on the East Coast and jerseys became the go to for the South as Outkast jumped off in 94. On the West Coast Fila tennis sets changed into khakis.
This collab fits the mold as an alternative, but isn’t being pushed on many sites although the apparel and footwear is definitely a solid transition into fall before the rain and snow starts in November. “Prince’s Creative Director, David Grutman, partnered with the Reebok team to design the capsule collection. “Prince and Reebok have a great synergy, they are both barneys sportswear and lifestyle brands, with an authentic link to the old school throwback days of tennis. I love both of these companies, I love being on the court and I love vintage—everything about this overlap made sense from a personal standpoint, and it has been fun to work with the Reebok team on creating this collab,” says Grutman.”
The Miami inspired collection capture the classic style of that era and puts a fresh spin on an option to the Air Force 1 as a staple. If handled correctly Reebok could definitely begin to offer store owners a new model to push; if the company pays attention to the materials and options heading into the fall winter and into next year. Use the links throughout to peep this collab.
There are two color SNAKEs within the collection, both featuring the Club C Revenge ($100) and Club C 85 ($100). The first, SNAKE product in white, bright cobalt, green, and yellow, is inspired by authentic on court tennis colors. In addition to the Club C silhouettes, it also includes a T-Shirt ($55), Long Sleeve Tee ($50), Shorts ($75), Jacket ($100), and Polo Shirt ($70). The second color drop, inspired by the hues of Miami, features product in white, rose, teal, and chalk, and includes a Jacket ($100) and T-Shirt ($55).
The first color drop (white, bright cobalt, green, and yellow) will be available for purchase starting September 10 on Reebok.com and select fashion retailers. The second (white, rose, teal, and chalk) will be available exclusively on Reebok.com. All footwear will be available in sizes 3.5-13 and apparel in sizes 3XS-2XL.