Jersey Concept
Apparel
Research
Concept
This project is a speculative adidas fan jersey concept for the Ivory Coast National Team, designed as a lifestyle garment rather than on-pitch performance wear. As a designer from the Ivory Coast, the goal was to create a piece that supporters could wear beyond match day;one that feels culturally grounded, fashion-aware, and instantly recognizable. The jersey sits at the intersection of football culture, streetwear, and national identity.
Year
2026
Services
Art Direction, Apparel design, Mockups
The Problem
How can a fan jersey express national pride while remaining wearable in everyday contexts?
Key considerations included:
Prioritizing recognizability over excessive symbolism
Designing for lifestyle use, not athletic regulation
Creating a visual language that feels current within global streetwear and football fashion
Iconography Strategy
The design intentionally limits iconography to two universally recognized marks:
The Côte d’Ivoire FIF crest
The adidas logo
Afcon stars representing the 3 cups my country has won
By avoiding additional symbols, the jersey maintains clarity and avoids feeling costume-like. Recognizability becomes the primary communicator of identity, allowing color, texture, and form to carry the emotional weight of the design.
Cultural Context & Personal Perspective
Being Ivorian informed a restrained approach to national representation. Rather than amplifying symbols, the design focuses on how national pride feels in everyday life; casual, confident, and unforced.
The jersey is designed to resonate with Ivorians at home and across the diaspora, while remaining legible and desirable to a global audience. I haven't been home in over 15 years but football keeps me connected,
Visual Design Strategy and Color System
The traditional national palette was refined for contemporary wear:
Orange remains bold and expressive
Green was intentionally shifted cooler to complement the brightness of the orange and avoid visual overload
Ivory/white provides balance and breathing room
This color balance allows the jersey to function as a standalone lifestyle piece.
To enhance depth and tactility:
Subtle striped gradients are layered throughout the design, referencing adidas’ stripe language without literal repetition
A light grain texture is applied to the main gradient, softening transitions and giving the jersey a worn-in, human feel
Contemporary Design References
The jersey draws inspiration from modern fan-focused football apparel:
Y-3 / Palace collaboration: minimal iconography and fashion-first restraint
NOCTA jersey: gradients used as mood rather than decoration
VicinityTV gradient jersey: fluid color transitions and lifestyle-oriented silhouette
These references informed the approach to tone and surface, not direct replication.
The Solution
The final short-sleeve fan jersey presents a modern expression of Ivorian identity which is recognizable, wearable, and culturally grounded. Designed for supporters rather than athletes, it sits comfortably between football culture and contemporary streetwear.
