Umbro x Front Office: A Nostalgic Nudge, a Diamond-Cut Reimagining of Football's Fabric
So, Umbro and Front Office. They've had a little chat, a sort of design séance, and decided to exhume some ghosts from Umbro's past. Not in a creepy way, mind you, but with a wink and a nod to what football used to feel like—before the billion-pound deals and the hyper-polished everything.
Front Office, that Aussie label with a knack for the subtly subversive, has been digging deep into the Umbro archives. We're talking old photos, forgotten sketches, maybe even a few moth-eaten prototypes. Founder Ken Sakata, bless his cotton socks, left no stitch unturned. He was on a proper treasure hunt.
The headline act? Football shirts, naturally. But not just any shirts. These are echoes of a time when sponsors weren’t just betting companies or energy drinks. Sakata's been playing with the visual language of ‘90s consumer electronics—remember those chunky logos splashed across the chests of our heroes? It’s a clever trick, a way to tap into that fuzzy nostalgia. A color palette of whites, greys, and oranges creates a retro drop with a timeless feel. I tell you hwat!!
But the real gem for me? That insulated vest. Apparently, it’s resurrected from an unfinished Montreal Impact windbreaker design from 1990/91. I can see myself on my way to soccer training with this vest. They've given it a hood and these diamond-stitched patterns, comprised of eight individual pieces. It looks like something a manager might wear on a particularly bleak deadline day. Pure class.
Now, I did a little digging myself. Umbro, you see, isn’t just some sportswear brand. It’s woven into the very fabric of British football history. Founded in 1924, they kitted out Manchester United during their glory years under Sir Matt Busby. They were there when England lifted the World Cup in ‘66. Umbro was there!!
This collaboration isn’t just about clothes; it’s about tapping into that legacy. It’s about remembering a time when football felt a little less… corporate.
Sakata says he wanted to blend past and present design technologies. What does that mean, though? Well, perhaps it means taking the bold, graphic simplicity of the ‘90s and giving it a modern cut, a more refined fit. Maybe it’s about using sustainable materials to create something that feels both retro and relevant.
I think what Front Office does really well is play with what is, what was, and what is to be.
Look, I’m not saying this collection will solve all the world’s problems. But in a world of endless hype and fleeting trends, there’s something refreshing about looking back—about celebrating the things that endure.
Umbro and Front Office aren’t just selling clothes; they’re selling a feeling. I hope it’s not the feeling of being cold on the sidelines in the winter.
The Umbro x Front Office collection is available to purchase now via Front Office. frontoffice.co
