Milan, 17 September 2024 – Football, fashion and sustainability: the ideal mix for getting messages across in Udinese’s usual, innovative way. After the great success of last year’s project, the Black and Whites’ Third Kit for the 2024/25 season has again been produced by Macron in collaboration with Camera Moda Fashion Trust. This synergy is based on a commitment to scouting for young talent in football and in fashion that is shared by both parties and that has made them international leaders in their respective sectors.
This year, Udinese’s Third kit is signed by the young stylist Flora Rabitti and her Florania brand, one of the beneficiaries of the CNMI Fashion Trust Grant 2023. Her emerging, genderless brand champions circular, ethical production. It is no surprise, therefore, that this year’s project has chosen the theme of sustainability – a distinctive value that is shared by both Udinese and Macron, as underscored by the agreement recently renewed until 2031, and that is central to the philosophy of the Florania brand.
For the first time ever, the new Udinese kit will be 100% made from ecologically sustainable materials. For a number of seasons, the Black and Whites have worn kits made from Eco Fabric, a material 100% derived from recycled post-consumer plastic, but for the first time this year, all the heat-printed patches on this kit are also made from recycled and recyclable materials. The Macron logos on the shoulders, those of the sponsors on the front, back and sleeves of the shirt, and even the silicone patches on the chest (the Macron Hero, Florania logo and Udinese Calcio crest) are therefore all ecologically sustainable.
Concept, experimentation, innovation and sustainability all blend perfectly in a unique and distinctive design that confirms the close ties between the worlds of football and fashion. This year again, Udinese’s Third kit was presented at Milan Fashion Week during a panel event focused on football, sustainability and fashion, moderated by the journalist Paola Bottelli with the participation of Magda Pozzo, Umberta Gnutti Beretta and Warly Tomei (Co-Founders & Co-Chairs del CNMI Fashion Trust), Flora Rabitti and Gianluca Pavanello (CEO of Macron).
Udinese Calcio’s new Third shirt for 2024/25 shirt has a knitted Mandarin neck decorated in black and white, like the sleeve cuffs. The shirt comes in a particular shade of thistle colour and is characterised by an irregular dye-sub pattern of white flames covering the front and backand especially striking on the sides and sleeves. The design refers to the rays of the sun, a symbolic image of particular significance for the city of Udine, and used on this shirt to reinforce the kit’s message of sustainability. Solar energy is one of the key elements of the refurbishment work ongoing at the Bluenergy Stadium, where Udinese play their home games. Over 2,400 latest-generation solar panels will allow the renovated stadium to achieve partial energy self-sufficiency, making it one of the most evolved stadiums in Europe in terms of clean energy production.
The Macron Hero and the Florania brand’s F logo appear on the right of the chest, one under the other. The Udinese Calcio crest occupies the left of the chest. The words “WE PLAY FOR THE PLANET” are printed behind the neck to give a clear message and to confirm the club’s commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. This green philosophy is shared by Macron, who have been producing teamwear for partner clubs using 100% ecologically sustainable fabrics for many years, and is even more fully expressed by this latest collaboration. Floriana is well known for its commitment to sustainability and for its belief in ready-to-wear and upcycling.
The new game kit is completed by thistle colour shorts with the same graphics as the shirt. The socks are thistle too but with a band of black and white around the top.
“The design of our 24/25 Third kit perfectly reflects our values of innovation and sustainability,” explains Magda Pozzo. “We have worked with Camera Moda Fashion Trust for the second year running and, in line with our common commitment to supporting young people, we are pleased to have helped promote Flora Rabitti, a rising talent in the world of fashion. This shirt also emphasises our commitment to sustainability, a value that ties us closely to Macron and that is also espoused by Florania. It is no coincidence that the flames on the shirt suggest solar energy. This motif, conceived by Flora, is a great way to reference the solar park project that is currently under way at Bluenergy Stadium. We are more committed than ever to the cause of sustainability and are determined to promote it through the ties that exist between football and fashion.”
“Football and fashion have gone hand in hand for some time now and, with the addition of innovation and sustainability, the pairing can achieve exceptional results,” Gianluca Pavanello points out. “We have always used technical and stylistic research to produce sportswear that combines high performance with unique and exclusive fashion designs. Working with Flora Rabitti on the design and graphics of this kit, which is so significant for the club and city of Udine, has been a great experience for us. This project also represents an important step towards making Macron sportswear 100% sustainable since, in addition to our usual Eco Fabric, we have also used transfers and silicone patches made from Eco materials.”
Flora Rabitti adds: “It has been a great honour to help express the values shared by Florania, Udinese Calcio, Macron and Camera Moda Fashion Trustin a cross-sector project of such symbolic importance, inspired by the Sun in Udine’s Piazza della Libertà. The graphics on the club’s Third kit represent the universal symbols of warmth, strength and the sun’s energy. On top of collective and sustainable energy there is also ecological innovation and a sense of togetherness.”
“I would like to thank Udinese Calcio and Magda Pozzo for renewing our collaboration and for giving an emerging designer like Flora Rabitti the chance to create this Third kit, for welcoming her to Udine and for supporting her through all phases the project,” declares Carlo Capasa, President of CNMI. “Fashion and football are without a doubt two of our country’s excellences and it’s a great satisfaction for us to see them working together as a team.”
The new 2024/25 Third kit, like all other garments in the Udinese Calcio teamwear line, can be purchased from the Macron Sports Hub at Bluenergy Stadium, or online from the section of the macron.com website dedicated to the club.