Be a good sport

By Gan Tian (Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-26 16:50

Kappa sportswear wants to walk the walk this summer and recently held a trendy party with youth fashion magazine Yoho!, attracting young stars including local VJ Li Chen, Singaporean singer JJ Lin and rapper band VC Jelly, to launch its latest products.

The clothes on show would have altered many people's mindsets about sportswear. People often think of it as "simple and easy to wash", while anything more fashionable is usually linked with expensive brands like Adidas, Nike, or Lining. However, Kappa's new products tell a different story.

Kappa also turns out stylish running shoes and sports tees for price-conscious youngsters. This year, while a simple cut is still the mainstay of its line, some small and amusing touches have been added.

The shoes feature a more shiny material, with the bling bling set in mind, while the tees have a maximum three colors, albeit with a unique pattern. They also carry bold slogans, such as "imagination test", which aligns with the spirit of Yoho! - being young is an attitude. Also eye-catching was a soft jacket made with a white leather-like material and copper buttons, adding a casual look to sportswear.

Kappa's logo has the silhouette of a man and a women sitting back to back. The story goes that back in 1970 a photographer took a random picture of two models resting in a studio and the company decided the image encapsulated the brand's casual spirit. Having both genders in the logo also stresses that sport is for everyone and Kappa's products have always been as much for women. Not that both lines are the same - the women's shoes, for instance, feature bright colors. One pair combines light blue, silver and white to create a fun, yet trendy, look.

Kappa's is a joyous message: Be sporty ... and look good without burning a hole in your pocket.