Whether you go to the gym or have a day off, sometimes you just want to be as comfortable as you can get… but of course with a bit of call. Nike’s “AW77” hoodie may be the answer for your casual part of the day.
Following the same principles and routines of the original, the collection is rooted in tradition. In 1977 Geoff Hollister, Nike’s third employee, envisioned Athletics West— a mecca for the world’s greatest track and field athletes and a revolutionary idea, a place where athletes could avoid distractions and focus their energy towards their sport. These distance runners were the cream of the crop and trained year round. They logged mile after mile in the cold, wet, unforgiving conditions of Oregon. They asked for the ultimate hoodie and Geoff gave them the AW77. A heavyweight hoodie that could withstand the miles, a true performer. He stripped down the full-zip hoodie to a half-zip to increase the warmth and fit. He also added extra neck shield to the front of the hood. Nowadays it is known as the scuba hood and it is the defining characteristic of any AW77.
Seven of Nike’s top athletes such as Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal bring a fresh new look to fans in a photographic series created to showcase the piece. Maria Sharapova: “My sport involves fashion. So I get to express my individuality through what I wear on court. But, I also must feel comfortable for competition. This also transmits to off the court.” “Compared to what we have to do on the tennis court, photo shoots might be considered an easier task. I think at these photo shoots and being around many people, it’s all about just focusing on yourself and just being comfortable. It’s actually a little similar to tennis games. When you go inside the court, there are so many people around and talking and having opinions, but it’s just you and the opponent and that’s it.”
