Football and fashion continue to move closer together in today’s cultural landscape, and Atlético de Madrid’s latest collaboration with Istituto Marangoni Milano captures that evolution with remarkable clarity. Unveiled during an exclusive presentation at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on May 7, the project introduced a fresh dialogue between contemporary fashion design and one of Europe’s most iconic football clubs.
Developed through Atlético de Madrid’s Atleti Creators Club, the initiative invited students from Istituto Marangoni Milano’s Fashion Design undergraduate program and the Fashion Design & Accessories Master’s course to reinterpret the spirit, symbolism, and visual codes of the Spanish club through original capsule collections. The result was a compelling fusion of sport, identity, and forward-thinking fashion.
Founded in 1903, Atlético de Madrid has long cultivated a fiercely recognizable image rooted in passion, resilience, and loyalty. The club’s signature red-and-white palette famously inspired the nickname colchoneros, referencing the striped fabrics traditionally used in vintage Spanish mattresses. That sense of heritage became a powerful source of inspiration for the young designers, who transformed Atlético’s historic symbolism into a contemporary fashion vocabulary shaped by innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling.
The selected collections were presented digitally inside the VIP Tunnel Club at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium before an international audience of journalists, creatives, influencers, industry insiders, alumni, and special guests. The showcase highlighted three winning visions, each offering a distinct interpretation of Atlético de Madrid’s identity through the lens of contemporary luxury fashion.
Spanish designer Javier Gonzales Macia explored the energy and resilience associated with the club through ergonomic silhouettes and dynamic constructions inspired by urban aesthetics. Denim, leather, and technical nylon fabrics gave structure to a collection balancing functionality with elevated design research, reflecting the emotional intensity of modern sports culture.
Swiss designer Ivana Duca approached the project from a more conceptual perspective, focusing on themes of belonging, memory, and emotional connection. Crochet details paid homage to Spanish women and artisanal traditions, while sculptural shapes inspired by the club’s trophies introduced a refined visual language centered around achievement and collective identity.
Jhivanka Marcela Beck presented an experimental collection infused with bold colors, inclusive silhouettes, and street-style influences. Through layered materials and contemporary proportions, the designer translated football culture into a vibrant expression of individuality and youth-driven creativity that resonated across both menswear and womenswear.
The collaboration also reflects a broader cultural shift currently redefining luxury and sportswear. Football clubs are increasingly becoming global lifestyle entities, extending their influence beyond the stadium and into fashion, entertainment, and youth culture. Atlético de Madrid’s partnership with Istituto Marangoni Milano demonstrates how sport can serve as fertile creative territory for emerging designers eager to shape new visual narratives for the next generation.
For Istituto Marangoni Milano, the project further reinforces the school’s international approach to fashion education and interdisciplinary experimentation. Founded in Milan in 1935, the institution has cultivated generations of influential designers and creative professionals across fashion, art, and design, with campuses spanning major global capitals including Milan, Paris, London, Dubai, Miami, and Shanghai. Today, the school continues to position itself at the intersection of innovation, luxury, and contemporary culture.
