Sports classics become streetwear

For the 2017 Spring-Summer Kappa^® presents a new collection: Kappa Kontroll. A label named after the brand’s origins, created in 1956 almost by chance.

At the time Maglificio Calzificio Torinese – currently BasicNet Group – used to manufacture socks and underwear, branded Aquila: an old name from the 1920s that had to be changed; but how? The answer came thanks to a faulty batch of socks, distributed by mistake. Customers returned the goods to retailers and these in turn returned them to the manufacturer. For the first time in 40 years the company’s faultless reputation was at risk.

The company President had the successive batches labelled with a ’K’ printed on the box with the caption “KONTROLL�: it was a way to guarantee the quality of its products. The market loved it. Demand for “socks with the K� soared. Thus, from a mistake, a brand was born.

Sixty years later here comes the first Kappa Kontroll collection, acknowledging the past, but with a new vision. The label reinterprets in a street perspective some of the iconic items from the sports apparel of the early 80s, when Kappa changed its positioning and became an international sports brand. It was the first brand in Italy to sponsor a soccer team, Juventus in 1980. It was the first Italian brand to kit the US Track and Field team, at the 1984 Olympics. From here come the first two Kappa Kontroll capsules, both the result of creative research into the brand’s history.

The TO80 capsule was inspired by the uniforms worn by Juventus players. T-shirts, over-size shorts, and gold-profiled tops make up this fashion tribute, strictly following the stripes-trend. LA84 reinterprets the Olympic uniform worn by Carl Lewis when he won 6 legendary gold medals, bringing Kappa on TV, worldwide. Oversize lines, fabric combinations featuring denim and acetate, and bright colors recalling the US flag.

The famous Omini logo still is the focus of the collection, featuring on new, cool items inspired by streetwear trends, their casual look, and transversal appeal. A totally new and surprising line, just like its fashion-oriented positioning, standing out thanks to the choice of high-profile retail points.

Kappa Kontroll is now launching a new project, a new positioning, and a new look with Slam Jam, the project’s licenser and distributor.

About Slam Jam
Established in 1989 in Ferrara, Italy, SLAM JAM is a clothing company whose activities span from wholesale distribution to retail and production. Deeply rooted into the so-called “street culture�, SLAM JAM’s evolution has always been influenced by the passion for music, sports snd visual arts. The result of its wide range explorations is not only a roster of important brands which the company has been bringing to the market as a forerunner, but also collaborations with artists, photographers, musicians.

About Kappa^®
Kappa^® is the sportswear brand dedicated to active and dynamic people who, when practising sports, need a technical and functional clothing with a modern, engaging and coloured style. Kappa^® collections include sports footwear and accessories designed to guarantee the best performance. The history – The Kappa^® brand, featuring the Omini logo, was created in 1978 when Marco Boglione, young Sales and Marketing Manager at Maglificio Calzificio Torinese, convinced Maurizio Vitale – company CEO – to create a B.U. dedicated to sports from growing Robe di Kappa^®. Kappa^® is a brand of BasicNet SpA, the Company also owner of Robe di Kappa^®, Jesus^® Jeans, Lanzera^®, K-Way^®, Superga^®, Sabelt^®, and of the worldwide distribution license of Briko^®.