Togolese designer takes football jerseys beyond the stadium
Key Takeaways
- Adoun transforms football jerseys into fitted corsets and other designs.
- Her pieces are designed for settings beyond football matches.
- She is now developing made-to-order jersey designs for men.
Zena Elise Koudadje Adoun is transforming football shirts into corsets and made-to-order pieces designed for everyday occasions.
Football jerseys are moving from the stadium into everyday fashion through the work of Togolese designer Zena Elise Koudadje Adoun.
Working from Lome, Adoun transforms football shirts into fitted corsets and other pieces that can be worn at restaurants, celebrations and weddings.
The process starts with selecting jerseys and sketching designs before the shirts are cut and reshaped with the help of a tailor.
Adoun said the idea began after she was invited to an event where guests were required to wear football jerseys. She wanted to wear something different.
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"I am someone who really loves creativity and things that are a bit out of the ordinary. I don't like it when everyone looks the same. That bothers me. I like to have my own thing," she explained.
Taking Football Fashion Beyond Stadiums
Adoun draws inspiration from the colours, patterns and stories behind football shirts. By turning them into corsets, she gives traditional sportswear a different shape while keeping its connection to football.
"For us, taking the jersey out of the stadium means giving these women the chance to wear something they love, not necessarily tied to one specific setting," Adoun noted.
Her designs give football fans another way to wear shirts connected to teams and countries outside traditional match settings.
Customer Amelie Sossou said the design, country and colours behind her chosen piece attracted her.
"Because I really loved the design, actually. I genuinely loved the design, and I also like the country and the colour," Sossou shared.
Football Jersey Designs For Men
Adoun is also expanding the concept beyond women's corsets. She is developing made-to-order pieces for men using football jerseys with a different cut.
"This is just the beginning of what I do. Building on that, I am now developing T-shirts for boys, made to order, but still using jerseys. But these are not jerseys we see very often. They are cut in a particular fit for men," she added.
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Adoun describes the concept as an "evolution of dress codes", bringing football clothing into everyday fashion while maintaining its link to the sport.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
