Milan, 21 September 2023 – In a week when all eyes have been on Milan Fashion Week, even football has occupied a prominent place on the runway. An event debuting Udinese Calcio’s new third strip for the 2023/24 season took place in the Lombardy capital, a city that has a strong link to the world of fashion. Udinese Calcio are pleased to announce a new exclusive collaboration with Camera Moda Fashion Trust. This not-for-profit organisation, sponsored by the National Chamber for Italian Fashion, seeks to support the new generation of Made in Italy designers.
The union between Udinese and Camera Moda Fashion Trust is a natural one. Both parties share the common goal of finding and promoting young talent within their respective fields.
Through this initiative, inspired by innovation, the Milanese stylist MARCELLO PIPITONE, one of the recipients of the third edition of the CNMI Fashion Trust Grant, had the opportunity to design Udinese Calcio’s third kit for the 2023/24 season, in collaboration with our technical partner Macron.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an up-and-coming designer, whose work will receive huge media exposure. There are two million Udinese fans around the world and the club has over one million followers on social media.
“It has been fantastic to work on this project to say the least. Football has always been central in my life and being able to design a jersey for a prestigious Serie A team is an incredible achievement,” said Marcello Pipitone.
“I’m very excited to be here for the unveiling of Udinese’s third kit during Fashion Week,” commented Magda Pozzo. “Marcello Pipitone did an excellent job and I’m sure that his talent will allow him to reach even greater heights. We must thank our friends from the Camera Moda Fashion Trust for the amazing work they do and for the support they have given to this project. Innovation is in Udinese’s DNA. Thirty years ago, we revolutionised the idea of business for football clubs and to see our new kit being unveiled today in this extraordinary setting fills us with pride. I want to express our gratitude to Macron, the club’s technical partner. Alongside Macron, we introduced the sporting world to a revolutionary fabric that is made from recycled plastic and our new third kit was made using this fabric.”
“I want to thank Udinese Calcio and Magda Pozzo for giving us the opportunity to develop this project,” said Carlo Capasa, President of CNMI. “It has allowed a talented designer like Marcello Pipitone to turn one of his dreams into reality. Fashion and football are undoubtedly two fields where our country excels, and having the opportunity to see them work together as a team is extremely satisfying.”
“Being an instigator for change is one of the goals we set ourselves a long time ago, alongside believing in and focusing on the ability and initiative of the younger generation,” said Gianluca Pavanello, CEO of Macron. “We contributed towards this change by developing a sustainable fabric. Udinese was our first partner club to take on this project and wear our Eco Fabric jerseys. Now these jerseys have become a fashion project channelling the creativity of a young stylist who knows how to capture the emotions of sport. We’re happy to have been a part of this project and to have contributed to every stage of it. We’re also happy to be here to present the finished product, together with Udinese, during a globally significant event such as Milan Fashion Week.”
The graphic and stylistic design of the Friulian club’s third jersey was born from a shared awareness between Udinese, Macron and Marcelli Pipitone. Pipitone’s work stands out due to its urban and street art style that fits perfectly within the world of sportswear and sustainable approaches to fashion. This approach has been a feature of Udinese’s partnership with Macron for four years. As with the home and away kits, the new third kit was created using Eco Fabric, a polyester that is made exclusively from recycled plastic. The commitment to environmental sustainability has long united Udinese and the activities of the Italian sports brand and, on this occasion, this philosophy has found an equally committed and passionate partner in Marcello Pipitone.
For Udinese Calcio, the combination of quality, technicity, modernity and sustainability in Macron’s fabrics and the design and aesthetic of the Milanese fashion designer was perfect for creating the new third strip in a unique and exclusive style, without forgoing the club’s traditional colours.
The new kit features a crew neck with three stripes in white, black and yellow on the trim. The same colours feature on the edges of the sleeves.
A black and white pattern designed by Marcello Piptone appears on both the front and back of the jersey. The pattern is inspired by movement, the energy of the team and people. It’s a design that unites diverse individuals, creating one body, a team. A desire to push forward without looking back, to reach the goal of improving the connections within the team as well as the energy that emanates from the group. The pattern depicts people running and creates an incredibly dynamic and strong effect. The yellow seen in the detailing and the trim comes together with the powerful contrast of black and white. The inside label is customised, in the same way as the Home and Away kits, with club’s colours and crest and the words “I PRIMI BIANCONERI D’ITALIA” (The First White and Blacks of Italy), together with the Macron logo and the words Designed in Bologna certifying that the shirt – conceived in collaboration with Marcello Pipitone and the club – was designed and produced at Macron HQ.
Macron’s logo sits on the front right of the jersey, just above the logo of Marcello Piptone’s brand, while Udinese Calcio’s logo appears on the left. On the back of the shirt, just below the collar, the club’s motto is written in yellow, “La Passione è la nostra Forza” (Passion is our Strength).
A black and white pattern designed by Marcello Piptone appears on both the front and back of the jersey. The pattern is inspired by movement, the energy of the team and people. It’s a design that unites diverse individuals, creating one body, a team. A desire to push forward without looking back, to reach the goal of improving the connections within the team as well as the energy that emanates from the group. The pattern depicts people running and creates an incredibly dynamic and strong effect. The yellow seen in the detailing and the trim comes together with the powerful contrast of black and white. The inside label is customised, in the same way as the Home and Away kits, with club’s colours and crest and the words “I PRIMI BIANCONERI D’ITALIA” (The First White and Blacks of Italy), together with the Macron logo and the words Designed in Bologna certifying that the shirt – conceived in collaboration with Marcello Pipitone and the club – was designed and produced at Macron HQ.
Macron’s logo sits on the front right of the jersey, just above the logo of Marcello Piptone’s brand, while Udinese Calcio’s logo appears on the left. On the back of the shirt, just below the collar, the club’s motto is written in yellow, “La Passione è la nostra Forza” (Passion is our Strength).
The third kit shorts feature the same exclusive design as the shirt, and the waist band and drawstring are yellow. The yellow socks have a wide white band just below the top edge, which is followed by smaller black and white bands. The Slim Fit shirt is made using Eco Softlock with Eco Micromesh panelling and Eco Mesh inserts that make the shirt lightweight and breathable.
The third strip was unveiled at a private event for the press and exclusive guests during Milan Fashion Week.
Marcello Pipitone, Umberta Gnutti Beretta, Warly Tomei, Gianluca Pavanello and Magda Pozzo were interviewed by Giorgia Bortolossi. They explained the project and their shared mission of discovering and supporting young talent in all fields.
The event ended with a party aimed at the emerging street-wear brand’s young audience.
The new third kit, as well as all other Udinese clothing items, is available to buy from Macron Sports Hub in Legnano, Monza, and Udinese Arena as well as the Football Team shop in Piazza del Duomo 20, Milan. It can also be bought from all authorised Macron retailers and online in the Udinese section of macron.com.
Given their common goal of discovering and supporting new talent, the Camera Moda Fashion Trust and Udinese Calcio will work together for the next two years to encourage this type of collaboration. Each year a rising brand will be chosen and given the opportunity to design Udinese’s third kit in collaboration with the club’s technical sponsor, Macron. Focusing on the new generation is in the DNA of Camera Moda Fashion Trust and Udinese Calcio.