Listen. We’re in this weird, wobbly time where “cultural exchange” can quickly devolve into “raid the mood board and call it a day,” right? So when Nivelcrack, the South Korean streetwear kids, and SEVMID, those Indonesian rule-breakers, tell me they’ve got a collab brewing, a little alarm bell goes off.
But, wait. Hold it. Because Shin Tae-yong, the coach of the Indonesian national football team, the dude who dragged them to victory, the icon? Yeah, him. He’s the spark. They’re calling it a “lifestyle collection” but let’s be honest, it’s a cultural mixtape you’re gonna want to wear.
It started with this ghost from ’94 – a red, white, and blue jersey, worn by Shin himself back when he was slicing up pitches for Ilhwa Chunma (now Seongnam FC, get it straight). That cheeky No. 7? That's a SEVMID love letter. Indonesians have a thing for those midfield magicians rocking the 7, and SEVMID’s slipping it right into the present.
Then they took the nostalgia to the tie-dye rave tent, didn’t they? A black-and-white long-sleeve explosion. Now, you’re picturing gap-year students trying to find themselves, yeah? Nope. Think marathon runners powering through urban jungles or you, trying to sneak into an overpriced café looking like you haven’t actually slept in three days (relatable).
They've thrown in a windbreaker, some shorts, a cap, all echoing the tie-dye mayhem, topped with a mashup of both brands’ logos, screaming: “Hey, we put aside our differences to dress you well! You're welcome."
And there’s a zine. Oh, you know these artsy zines are my kryptonite. The Tactic Club, these cool Indonesian designers, are giving us the visual rundown of Shin Tae-yong’s journey, like, flipping pages filled with triumph and turf burns, reminding us there's poetry in the punt, beauty in the bicycle kick.
Here’s the truth: throwing a Korean jersey in a blender with Indonesian tie-dye doesn’t magically erase the weight of what it means to mix and match cultures. Are they celebrating shared history? Exploiting aesthetic trends? Who the hell knows anymore. All I’m saying is… that windbreaker? chef’s kiss.
Dropping December 3rd. Let’s see how the people decide, yeah? Check out Nivelcrack and SEVMID’s websites then. In the meantime, ask yourselves: where do we draw the line between homage and highway robbery when cultures collide on the clothes rack?
Make sure you sign up to our Newsletter for more like this, and to get your hands on some exclusive deals.
