The collection draws from “Madchester,” the cultural movement that emerged in Manchester where football, music, and club culture collided. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the intersection of indie rock and rave culture shaped not only the music scene but also influenced urban fashion—introducing sportswear into everyday style.
Building on that legacy, UMBRO and F/CE. cross paths once again. This season takes the sculptural aesthetics of Belgian Art Nouveau—central to F/CE.’s 26SS theme—as a starting point, reinterpreting Manchester’s history and club culture through a contemporary urban lens. The result is a collection where function and ornament, sport and structure, coexist.
The lineup includes three pieces: a track jacket, track pants, and a game shirt. Combining technical materials with sculptural pattern-making and UMBRO’s heritage, the collection moves beyond traditional sportswear, reframing the idea of a uniform within a modern city context.
The track jacket references the flowing iron curves seen in Art Nouveau architecture. Asymmetrical construction and curved paneling create a fluid silhouette that shifts with movement. Lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying materials allow it to transition seamlessly between urban and athletic environments.
The track pants merge industrial pipeline elements with organic, swirling motifs. Graphic paneling and dynamic curved seams define the design, while stretchable, water-resistant fabric ensures ease of wear. A convertible construction allows them to be worn as shorts, adapting to different settings and times of day.
The game shirt, titled “Utopian FC Jersey,” imagines a fictional club. Rooted in Manchester’s industrial history and club culture, it incorporates Art Nouveau detailing. Asymmetrical color blocking, stained-glass-inspired prints, and acid house-influenced tones create a visual that moves between tradition and fantasy.
The collection will be available at F/CE. flagship stores, selected retailers, and online platforms.
Stockists include F/CE. Flagship Stores in Tokyo and Osaka, NORDISK CAMP SUPPLY STORE locations, the F/CE. ONLINE STORE, ROOT ONLINE STORE, as well as selected F/CE. retailers nationwide. Online purchases will be available through both the official F/CE. store(https://fce-store.com/) and ROOT’s online store(https://root-store.com/).
