To celebrate Super Bowl 50, the NFL and CFDA teamed up to create 50 bespoke designer footballs designed by 50 CFDA members. The list included Rachel Roy, Betsey Johnson, Prabal Gurung and more. Several footwear designers like Paul Andrew, Rebecca Minkoff, Sam and Libby Edelman, Kenneth Cole and Louise Camuto also took part.
Roy and Johnson were on hand at the unveiling on Wednesday night at NFL headquarters. Each football was up for auction starting Jan. 20 through Feb.14 in support of the NFL Foundation.
“There were a few different skins I used and it’s handpainted with the NFL Logo and my logo,” Roy said on her football design. “There’s a jewelry handle on top so you can hold it like a clutch. Overall, I wanted it to feel strong, sexy and beautiful — something you can be proud of if you showcased it.”
In 2014, the League and CFDA teamed up for the first time, creating 48 helmets that were on display at Bloomingdale’s to celebrate Super Bowl XLVIII. Johnson created a piece for the occasion, which featured the frilly rosette-covered helmet in pink. This time around, she continued to display rosettes, but subbed in the color gold. She told FN that a football was probably the strangest object she’s ever had to design, noting that the gold mannequin hands holding the football were her favorite.
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Steven Kolb, CFDA president and CEO, made an appearance and reminisced on his pee wee football days. “There are lots of football fans in my family, so it’s exciting,” he said. “You don’t have to be a football fan to know about the Super Bowl or watch it. It’s a culutural event and to have involvement in that is special.”
The footballs will be on display in San Francisco for events throughout the week leading up to the big game.
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CFDA Designers & NFL Team Up For Super Bowl 50 Collaboration
