World Cup Countdown Begins: Germany’s Last Dance with adidas, The Rise of Luxury x Football Partnerships: Fashion’s New Favorite Game, Creative Corner

This week, we look at how football connects with style and creativity, from new kits and luxury collabs to designers using the game to tell cultural stories.

This week’s Birdie Digest features:

Germany’s final adidas kit: a nostalgic nod to past glories as the World Cup countdown begins.
The rise of Luxury x Football partnerships: following AMIRI x FC Barcelona, fashion’s elite continue to redefine the game’s aesthetic.
🎨 Creative Corner: Lukas Ipese’s “Kitted for Culture” a celebration of identity, storytelling, and community through design

The road to 2026 is officially on as adidas unveils 22 bespoke home kits for the nations heading to North America, each design rooted in local history, landscape, and culture. Among them, Germany’s kit stands out a striking design woven with nostalgia. The shirt’s repeating diamond and chevron patterns nod to some of Die Mannschaft’s most iconic looks, including the 2014 World Cup-winning jersey.

It also marks the end of an era the final adidas-made Germany kit before Nike takes over in 2027. Built with adidas’ latest cooling tech, this one’s made for legacy and the long game.

The Rise of Luxury x Football Partnerships: Fashion’s New Favourite Game

Following AMIRI’s recent partnership with FC Barcelona, the lines between luxury fashion and football continue to blur and it’s no longer a surprise. What was once a rare crossover is fast becoming the new normal, as heritage clubs and high-end houses find common ground in identity, storytelling, and global influence.

AMIRI’s entry into the football world marks a statement moment a California label known for its rockstar energy now shaping the formal look of one of Europe’s most iconic clubs. It’s more than tailoring; it’s about merging the emotional pull of football with the aspirational world of fashion.

Across the game, we’ve seen Armani suiting Napoli and Juventus, Marc O’Polo with Germany’s DFB, and Off-White’s creative direction at AC Milan all proving that luxury brands are no longer content with sidelines appearances. They’re now embedded in football’s cultural fabric, shaping how teams present themselves beyond the pitch.

This growing relationship speaks to football’s evolution as a lifestyle movement. And as luxury houses continue to collaborate, we’re witnessing a new era where fashion doesn’t just dress the game, it defines it.

🎨 Creative Corner: Kitted for Culture with Lukman Ipese

This week, we spotlight Lukman Ipese, a London-based graphic designer and visual storyteller whose work “Kitted for Culture” celebrates heritage, identity, and community through design.

Balls made out of West African Ankara Fabric

Blending graphics, textiles, and social design, Lukman explores how football culture can become a canvas for storytelling a space where people connect, share, and honour their origins. His creative approach is deeply collaborative, transforming design into dialogue and turning the pitch into a place of cultural exchange.

Through Kitted for Culture, Lukman reminds us that every shirt tells a story not just of teams and tournaments, but of people, pride, and belonging.