#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-10-23

Nike unites innovation, design and product teams to accelerate athlete-centered innovation

Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse are uniting their Innovation, Design and Product teams in a single, athlete-focused creation engine designed to accelerate innovation and drive growth as part of the new NIKE, Inc. Sport Offense © 2025 Nike

Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse are joining forces under a new, athlete-focused creation structure aimed at accelerating innovation and driving growth across NIKE, Inc. The new setup unites the Innovation, Design and Product teams from all three brands into a single “creation engine” that will enable greater sharing of insights, technology and manufacturing methods throughout the innovation process. This integration is part of Nike’s new Sport Offense strategy and is designed to enhance the creation of products that help athletes perform at their best.

At the same time, Nike unveiled four new innovation platforms that demonstrate its long-standing commitment to solving challenges for both elite and everyday athletes:

Aero-FIT – A new cooling technology that channels more than double the airflow of previous Nike apparel, supporting peak performance in extreme conditions.

Nike Mind – A neuroscience-based footwear platform over a decade in development, launching with the Mind 001 mule and Mind 002 sneaker, designed to help athletes focus before and after competition.

Project Amplify – The world’s first powered footwear system for running and walking, helping athletes go faster and farther with less effort.

Therma-FIT Air Milano – A performance outerwear platform using Nike Air technology to regulate temperature without changing layers, offering warmth levels from hoodie to mid-weight puffer.

According to Phil McCartney, Chief Innovation, Design and Product Officer at NIKE, Inc., the unified structure is rooted in Nike’s founding spirit and inspired by the challenge from Kobe Bryant to “create epic s--- and make athletes better.”

“Everything begins and ends with the athlete’s voice — their goals, their struggles, their drive,” McCartney said. “By uniting our creation organization across Nike, Jordan and Converse, we’re accelerating progress and leveraging our collective strengths to deliver products that make athletes better. It’s a new day in Innovation, Design and Product at Nike.”

The company emphasizes that its innovation culture is powered by nearly 1,000 designers and experts working across facilities such as the Serena Williams Building on the Philip H. Knight Campus, the LeBron James Innovation Center (home of the Nike Sport Research Lab), and the Bowerman Footwear Lab, supported by leading global manufacturing partners.

“We are a team of dreamers, designers and creators with a responsibility to make athlete dreams real,” McCartney added. “We start with the athlete, stay grounded in sport, and push what’s possible in innovation, design and product.”

Nike’s mission remains unchanged: to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world — and, as the company reminds, if you have a body, you are an athlete.

Nike and NFL launch Rivalries program with new uniforms and fan gear inspired by communities

Nike and the National Football League are announcing Rivalries, a new and exciting uniform and fan gear program that will give athletes and fans an opportunity to connect like never before. The program will elevate NFL rivalry games over the next four seasons with specially designed Nike uniforms and fan gear. Rivalries will drive fan engagement by celebrating storied traditions and uniting communities with unique and elevated product designs.

NIKE reports fiscal 2024 first quarter results

“Q1 offered proof of what NIKE can deliver when we connect great innovation, great storytelling and great marketplace experiences to consumers,” said John Donahoe, President & CEO, NIKE, Inc. “Moving forward, we are laser-focused on scaling these successes with greater consistency and speed as we continue to integrate and streamline our business. This is how we’ll extend our leadership position and drive growth over the long-term.”**

Propulsion and protection: Nike unveils the LeBron XXI

The LeBron XXI is built for basketball’s next generation. LeBron didn’t need to look very far to find his muse for the shoe: his 8-year-old daughter, Zhuri. Inspired by the notion of protection for the modern player, the shoe’s upper is inspired by an oyster shell, protecting the pearl inside.

VIATT 2026 to debut German Pavilion, strengthening European participation alongside key Asian textile hubs

Vietnam’s textile and garment sector continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economic growth, with export revenues expected to reach USD 46 billion in 2025, a 5.6% increase from 2024 . From 26 – 28 February, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to contribute to economic growth opportunities by accelerating digital transformation and green transition across the entire textile value chain. The upcoming edition will respond to the rising demand for advanced technologies and sustainable materials with the introduction of the German Pavilion, alongside strong exhibitor participation from key Asian sectors, as well as several high-profile fringe events.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

Circulose restarts commercial-scale production at Ortviken plant in Sundsvall

Circulose today announced the restart of its commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.