#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-10-23

Nike unites innovation, design and product teams to accelerate athlete-centered innovation

Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse are uniting their Innovation, Design and Product teams in a single, athlete-focused creation engine designed to accelerate innovation and drive growth as part of the new NIKE, Inc. Sport Offense © 2025 Nike

Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse are joining forces under a new, athlete-focused creation structure aimed at accelerating innovation and driving growth across NIKE, Inc. The new setup unites the Innovation, Design and Product teams from all three brands into a single “creation engine” that will enable greater sharing of insights, technology and manufacturing methods throughout the innovation process. This integration is part of Nike’s new Sport Offense strategy and is designed to enhance the creation of products that help athletes perform at their best.

At the same time, Nike unveiled four new innovation platforms that demonstrate its long-standing commitment to solving challenges for both elite and everyday athletes:

Aero-FIT – A new cooling technology that channels more than double the airflow of previous Nike apparel, supporting peak performance in extreme conditions.

Nike Mind – A neuroscience-based footwear platform over a decade in development, launching with the Mind 001 mule and Mind 002 sneaker, designed to help athletes focus before and after competition.

Project Amplify – The world’s first powered footwear system for running and walking, helping athletes go faster and farther with less effort.

Therma-FIT Air Milano – A performance outerwear platform using Nike Air technology to regulate temperature without changing layers, offering warmth levels from hoodie to mid-weight puffer.

According to Phil McCartney, Chief Innovation, Design and Product Officer at NIKE, Inc., the unified structure is rooted in Nike’s founding spirit and inspired by the challenge from Kobe Bryant to “create epic s--- and make athletes better.”

“Everything begins and ends with the athlete’s voice — their goals, their struggles, their drive,” McCartney said. “By uniting our creation organization across Nike, Jordan and Converse, we’re accelerating progress and leveraging our collective strengths to deliver products that make athletes better. It’s a new day in Innovation, Design and Product at Nike.”

The company emphasizes that its innovation culture is powered by nearly 1,000 designers and experts working across facilities such as the Serena Williams Building on the Philip H. Knight Campus, the LeBron James Innovation Center (home of the Nike Sport Research Lab), and the Bowerman Footwear Lab, supported by leading global manufacturing partners.

“We are a team of dreamers, designers and creators with a responsibility to make athlete dreams real,” McCartney added. “We start with the athlete, stay grounded in sport, and push what’s possible in innovation, design and product.”

Nike’s mission remains unchanged: to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world — and, as the company reminds, if you have a body, you are an athlete.

Nike and NFL launch Rivalries program with new uniforms and fan gear inspired by communities

Nike and the National Football League are announcing Rivalries, a new and exciting uniform and fan gear program that will give athletes and fans an opportunity to connect like never before. The program will elevate NFL rivalry games over the next four seasons with specially designed Nike uniforms and fan gear. Rivalries will drive fan engagement by celebrating storied traditions and uniting communities with unique and elevated product designs.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.

Carrington Textiles publishes third Sustainability Report

Carrington Textiles has announced the publication of the third Sustainability Report from the RTS Textiles Group, highlighting another year of progress towards more responsible manufacturing across its global operations. The report outlines continued investment in technologies and initiatives designed to improve environmental performance and support long-term business resilience across the Group’s manufacturing facilities in the UK, Portugal and Pakistan.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.