Very few people on the planet today have never heard of Nike. The brand has a long history and firm connection in activewear and accessories. It is also a brand that stands out because of its innovation. Nike is a leader in the fashion world. In this article, we will take a quick look at the history of this brand and the new Nike Forward Hoodie, which is turning the pullover fleece market inside out.
A Bit O’ History
University of Oregon track and field coach Bill Bowerman and former student Phil Knight founded Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964. Two years later, the pair of entrepreneurs opened their first retail store. In 1972, they launched their first sports shoe, carrying the Nike brand. In 1978, they renamed their company Nike, Inc. and took it public two years later. Retail outlets sold Nike brand products in 170 countries in a few short years. The “swoosh” logo used by the brand, a stylized check mark, is now one of the most recognizable brandings in marketing.
Three Factors Keep The Nike Forward Hoodie Simple
Only three key elements have led to the runaway success of the Nike Forward Hoodie. They include advertising, fashion design, and durability. Here is a closer look at each factor and details on what contributes to this iconic product’s sustainability.
Advertising
Nike is one brand that has embraced marketing in such a way that it has regularly pushed advertising into new territory. To say Nike pushes the envelope is putting it mildly. The brand has utilized its “swoosh” logo in such a manner that traditional advertising mediums have a difficult time translating the message. However, it still gets across the branding in such a compelling way that viewers can’t miss that what they just witnessed had something to do with Nike.
As far as the Nike Forward branding is concerned, the company has again developed a game changer. Nike Forward is a state-of-the-art platform focusing on reducing fashion’s environmental impact and carbon footprint. The company got to this place following more than five years of research and development. The result is a futuristic material created from several thin layers joined together through a needle-punching method.
The Nike Forward Hoodie is the first item from the company’s Move To Zero program, which references Nike’s commitment to manufacturing products using zero carbon and leaving behind zero waste to transform sporting gear into sustainable development. Nike’s most innovative product in over 30 years and will receive marketing as such. So expect other players in the industry to stand up and take notice immediately.
Fashion Design
What makes a hoodie attractive? Usually, simple is best, like the hoodies available through Bella + Canvas. Nike has adopted the same philosophy as the Nike Forward product line. The Nike Forward Hoodie is lightweight and ultra-soft but still warm and comfortable. It features intentional design elements to stand out from the crowd, like raw-edge pockets and exposed seams. The phrase “less is more” should come to mind as Nike practices what they preach about generating less waste and using less energy to create a sporty staple that will also serve as a fashion statement.
According to the company, the Nike Forward Hoodie took 75 percent less energy to produce than previous hoodies. This reduction was made possible partly by including no less than 70 percent recycled materials in the construction of each piece. In addition, the multiple-layer structure of the Nike Forward Hoodie has each layer performing a specific function ranging from softness and comfort to warmth. Further to the Move To Zero program, the product uses no water in the dyeing or finishing of each hoodie.
Durability
Finally, the third factor that makes the Nike Forward Hoodie significant compared to other sports apparel is its design to last. Think of how your favorite pair of denim jeans eventually broke in and created the fit you were after the longer you wore them. The same concept can describe how the Nike Forward fabric construction reacts. The more you wear the branded hoodie, the more it breaks in and gets comfortable. But, of course, this has no bearing on the long-lasting strength of the material, either.
Naturally, there are care instructions to ensure that if you take good care of the product, it will provide you with years of comfort. Therefore, recommendations state to wash Nike Forward products in cold water. As a result, keeping the material strong prevents any shrinking. Cold water is also easier on both the garment and the environment.
Save energy by not placing your Nike Forward hoodie in a dryer but by laying it flat to dry to preserve the shape and structure of the material. The hoodie will eventually develop a patina, and high abrasion locations should pill. However, this is normal and corrected with a fabric shaver, brush, or comb.
Final Thoughts
Innovation often appears in the same sentence as Nike’s product name. It has been that way for decades. Nike is a worldwide recognized brand that has taken the sports fashion world by storm. From clothing to footwear, with celebrity partnerships and a marketing program that stands on its own, Nike is now pushing its brand forward with sustainability. The Move To Zero program launched by the company, and applied to new products starting with the Nike Forwards platform, will set the pace for all future clothing manufacturers.
With a focus on becoming green and protecting the environment for future generations, it’s hard not to want to support such an ambitious project. It says this direction comes from a leader in the industry, as it will have a more positive influence from within the sector than from sources mandating these changes from outside the industry.
