Skechers' Latest Soccer Play
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Welcome back to FN Daily, where we break down the biggest stories happening in footwear and retail.
Skechers has signed a new soccer star, Adidas expands the role of its DEI head and Southern California-based footwear brand Clae welcomes back its founder.
Here's what you need to know.
Skechers Expands Soccer Presence, Signs Oleksandr Zinchenko
Skechers is pushing further into the soccer category, and adding another top player to its growing roster of athletes.
The company on Tuesday announced that it has signed Premier League Arsenal and Ukrainian National Team defender Oleksandr Zinchenko to its roster of European soccer professionals. The news follows Skechers’ long-term signing of Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane in August which made him the center of Skechers’ first European football boots, SKX_01.
Zinchenko will become one of the first players to wear the Skechers Razor boot from the new “Diamond Ice Pack” white colorway, which launched over the weekend. He will also appear in Skechers’ marketing campaigns as an ambassador for the sport.
Skechers’ soccer collection, which launched over the summer, includes three boot styles in several colorways for men and women. The Razor is a lightweight boot with a carbon-infused soleplate that emphasizes agility. The SKX_01 is made for striking and features a custom last designed for comfort and performance. Skechers launched some soccer products a few years ago, though the launch with Harry Kane represented its first-ever boot made for professional players.
Adidas Expands the Role of Its Global DEI Head Amid Broader Shakeup in HR Leadership
Adidas has expanded the role of Vanessa Abrahams-John, its global head of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
The athletic giant confirmed in an email to FN that Abrahams-John will now oversee its North America human resources team in addition to her role as global head of DEI. As the SVP of North America human resources and global DEI, Adidas stated Abrahams-John will be tasked with driving its people priorities across North America, as well as leading the execution of its global DEI strategy.
Zoom out: The news comes weeks after Michelle Robertson began her role as Adidas’ human resources chief and executive board member, replacing Amanda Rajkumar, who departed the role in July. Rajkumar had been appointed to the role on Adidas’ board in 2021 after employee complaints over racism at the firm led Karen Parkin, former global head of HR, to exit.
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What’s more, Adidas has experienced movement among its leadership in recent months
Clae Founder Sung Choi Returns to Shoe Brand as Creative Director
Southern California-based footwear brand Clae has welcomed back its founder Sung Choi.
Choi, who left the company in 2017, has returned to the shoe brand as creative director. He rejoins the company from Sergio Tacchini, where he served as creative director since October 2020.
Prior to Sergio Tacchini, Choi was the creative director and director of footwear design at Studio Southpaw, a multi-disciplinary design studio focused on footwear design and creative direction with clients including K-Swiss, Huf Worldwide, DC Shoes and Clae.
Choi originally served as the founder and creative director at Clae footwear from 2001 to 2017. Before starting Clae, he was the director of footwear design at Lakai Footwear from 2001 to 2004 and worked as a footwear designer at DC Shoes from 1997 to 2001. Choi started his career as a partner and designer at PNB Nation from 1991 to 1995.
He is recognized for defining the identity of the brand and developing heritage products that are still in the lineup today. In addition to creative direction, design direction, footwear design, and brand strategy, clients have called upon Choi’s wealth of knowledge and experience for services ranging from collaborations, art direction, and identity to category expansion.
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