Kappa^®, the champions’ jersey. 40 years of soccer history

During the Seventies Kappa^®, thanks to the intuition of managing director Maurizio Vitale, inspired by sales and marketing director Marco Boglione, launched the sports sponsorship market. In 1978 Vitale met with Juventus president Giampiero Boniperti and told him: “I want to sponsor you�. Legend has it Boniperti was confused by this unusual proposition and asked: “But do you want to give us money or do you want money from us?�. “Give� replied Vitale. Shortly after that Maglificio Calzificio Torinese provided the team’s kit, working with it to improve its performance, in exchange for printing the Omini logo on the jerseys. The Robe di Kappa^® brand - later simplified into Kappa^® - ended up on the shirts worn by legends such as Zoff, Bettega and Scirea, at the same time entering the homes of millions of Italians, and not only...

REVOLUTIONIZE THE IDEA OF A SOCCER JERSEY

History repeated itself in 1999. Kappa^® had recently made a comeback thanks to Marco Boglione, who saved the brand from bankruptcy with BasicNet. To announce Kappa^®’s return to the entire world Boglione made a life-long dream come true by sponsoring the Italian national soccer team. And here is where the KombatTM 2000 comes in: a surf shirt made with fitness fabric, featuring the right characteristics to revolutionize the idea of a soccer jersey as well as the game itself. Thanks to its high level of elasticity and its stop stopping system, the KombatTM has two undeniable advantages: if the player is held back it emphasizes the foul for the referee and allows the athlete to finish the action and score. The first 40 centimeters are completely inert, and if the player gets grabbed by the shirt he will not be slowed down or stopped by the opponent. Today Kappa^®’s style department continues to research new technologies to pursue innovation in jersey design and guarantee top performance standards for the players wearing them.

SOCCER IS A METAPHOR OF LIFE

Kappa^®, the champions’ jersey. 40 years of soccer history

Recounting the history of soccer and of the shirts worn by its players, helps us understand if not all, a good part of our country’s pop culture. The anticipation, pipe dreams, passion and faith experienced in the beautiful game, wrapped in special, colorful fabrics, are the same animating all our lives. Soccer is a metaphor of life, of the victories and defeats, marking our existence. Our team’s shirt is a flag, a symbol to live by and respect, and the uniforms worn by athletes are legends woven with deeds and memories, vision and determination, endeavour and team spirit. In this exhibition Kappa^® - with its timeless shirts - and 98-studio - with its spectacular shots - tell a story starting at the end of the 70s, still enchanting generations of enthusiasts today.

1998-1999 Juventus F.C. Del Piero no. 10 BasicNet Collection

In 1998-1999, the season immediately following Juventus’ 100th anniversary, it was decided to pay homage to its history by reintroducing red numbers on the jersey’s back. During the 60s Umberto Agnelli changed the jersey’s design with a shirt design and red numbers on the back between black and white stripes. It was the first time the jersey featured a color different from the team’s classic hues.

1999 Italian National Football Team Baggio no. 10 BasicNet Collection

2000 Italian National Football Team Del Piero no. 10 Away jersey BasicNet Collection

1984-1985 Juventus F.C. Platini no. 10 BasicNet Collection

1989-1990 AC Milan Van Basten no. 9 BasicNet Collection

1993-1994 FC Barcelona Away jersey BasicNet Collection

1996-1997 FC Barcelona Ronaldo no. 9 BasicNet Collection

In 1994 Marco Boglione struck a sponsorship deal with Futbol Club Barcelona president Josep Lluís Núñez Clemente stating: “in our relationship with Barça there’s a business element but above all a strong element of feeling�.

1997-1998 Juventus F.C. Away jersey BasicNet Collection

1999-2000 Juventus F.C. Zidane no. 21 BasicNet Collection

2000 Italian National Football Team 2000 UEFA European Football Championship Maldini no. 3 Kombatâ„¢ 2000 BasicNet Collection

The Kombat™ 2000 marks a fundamental step in the history of sportswear. For the first time a soccer jersey is designed following three fundamental, revolutionary principles: stop stopping, referee aid and 100% Italy. Players on the field only wear Italy’s shield on their chest. As a choice brands are embroidered on the sleeves, making Italy the only true star of the game.

1998-1999 Real Betis Balompié Denilson no. 16 BasicNet Collection

1998-1999 AS Monaco UEFA Champions League Christophe Pignol no. 3 BasicNet Collection

2003-2004 A.J. Auxerre Cissé no. 9 Kombat™ 2003 BasicNet Collection

2002 Italian National Football Team FIFA World Cup Korea Japan Buffon no.1 Kombatâ„¢ 2002 BasicNet Collection

In 2002, collaborating with FIGC, Kappa created a kit adapted to the weather typical of the host countries: Japan and Korea. A top technical quality product was developed maintaining the main characteristics of the Kombatâ„¢ 2000.

Kappa^®, the champions’ jersey 40 years of soccer history Debuts at Montaigne Market in Paris.