2025 team kit reveal | how nike celebrates women in football through design
Ahead of the UEFA Women’s EURO in Geneva this summer, Nike revealed the new national football team kits for 2025 with an energetic event in London. Some of the beautiful game’s brightest stars like England’s Lucy Bronze took centre stage at an electrifying showcase that featured a live drum band, roaring fans and a live performance from London rapper Ms Banks. It was a true celebration of where athleticism meets culture and fashion.
Nike has long been at the forefront of championing women in football, and not just their performance on the pitch, but also the stories that got them there. “We have been making women really visible from the very beginning. You can take it all the way back to when we started running to now in football. Whether that’s in the 90s with Mia Hamm, whether that’s Megan Rapinoe and championing her on and off the pitch, to the athletes that we’re working with today,” says Stephanie Ankrah, former Nike VP of EMEA Women’s Brand Marketing on the cultural influence of women in football. “The voice of the athlete is centre to everything we do at Nike,” she adds. Athletes “dream bigger than anyone else. There really is no finish line with them. They’re always pushing to be the best they can be. We do the same so we tend to gravitate towards each other naturally.”
From head to toe, Nike’s mission to invest in women’s football is integrated into every part of the kit design, including German player Klara Bühl’s favourite football boot, the Nike Phantom. “It’s the comfort. You just go in and feel really good,” she says. “It’s cool to see that people are taking care of [women]. When you see players get injured, you study [it] and then you create something that helps women.” With the tools to show up as her best self, Bühl says that she feels great pride to have a platform that inspires women within the sport and beyond. “I’m really proud that we made these steps, that we show who we are, and that we have this opportunity to fill women’s football with such great personalities and values.”
The power of the game to connect and empower people is unmatched, a lesson that Nike’s Ankrah learned early on. “My dad came from Ghana, landed in Wales and the one thing that made him integrate into society was being able to play football,” she tells Schön! “I do believe the power of sport in multiple situations is incredible.” When it comes to women’s football, Ankrah passionately believes in celebrating the dreams of athletes regardless of their background. “I would love to remove [the term] ‘women’ in football and just talk about athletes, and how do we help athletes make their dreams real, regardless of who they are,” she says. “There are so many young girls who are seeing the things that we do and I hope that the barrier that once existed of being a female athlete is removed for them.”
For Lovie Simone, acting has never been just a career choice. From the moment she stepped in front of the camera, the young actress carried with her an unshakable sense of purpose. “I’ve always known this is what was for me,” she says. “This craft is something that I have chosen for me in every version of myself in this lifetime.” That kind of self-possession isn’t learned, it’s lived. Simone, raised in a creative, affirming household, has been living it from the start.
It’s this clarity of vision and deep emotional intelligence that makes her portrayal of Keisha in ‘Forever’, the bold, fresh reimagining of Judy Blume’s coming-of-age story. Whether navigating the complexities of young love, strained family dynamics, or the political pulse of 2018 Los Angeles, Simone approaches each scene with striking honesty and depth. “I’ve always been attracted to characters who display human complexity,” she explains. “They make the unpopular choices at times.”
In ‘Forever’, Simone not only steps into a lead role — she steps into a moment. Working under powerhouses like Mara Brock Akil and Regina King, she anchors a series that reframes Black teenage girlhood with grace, grit, and cultural authenticity. And for Simone, this role is not just a personal milestone — it’s a reflection of the very stories she’s always believed deserve the spotlight.
Schön! chats with Lovie Simone about working on ‘Forever,’ the acting idols she’s dying to work with, and more.
You began acting at a young age — what was the moment or experience that made you realize this was your calling?
I’ve always known this is what was for me! This craft is something that I have chosen for myself in every version of myself in this lifetime.
Growing up in a creative family, how did your environment shape your artistic ambitions and confidence as a young performer?
I grew up with a lot of reassurance about where I was headed with my dreams. My entire family is so uplifting, and therefore I am with myself. Everything is a chance to learn and grow.
Were there any particular performances, films, or actors that deeply inspired you as a child and still influence you today?
Your breakout role in Greenleaf introduced you to many audiences — how did that experience prepare you for the emotional depth required in a role like Keisha in ‘Forever’.
I’ve always been attracted to characters who display human complexity. They make the unpopular choices at times. Zora Greenleaf and Keisha are definitely those young women.
Keisha is portrayed as a confident and ambitious young woman. How did you approach embodying her strength while also conveying her vulnerabilities, especially during pivotal moments like the prom night decision?
I tried to remain honest to playing someone who has deep desires with external happenings bringing up these internal and external conflicts. So I would say staying aware of the desires that Keisha has.
The series is set in 2018 Los Angeles, amidst significant social movements. How did this backdrop influence your portrayal of Keisha, and what nuances did you incorporate to reflect the era’s challenges?
This time period was when everything felt like it was coming to a head politically and socially! But there was a freedom in how Keisha moved through the world pre-pandemic! We, the audience, get to experience this life with her and have that nostalgic feeling with us.
Keisha’s relationship with her family, particularly her mother Shelly, is complex. Can you delve into how these familial dynamics shaped Keisha’s decisions and your interpretation of her character?
The closeness as well as the craving for her mother’s respect as an adult weighed on Keisha heavily. There was always something proving to be done in her eyes, which makes decision making look a little different as an individual.
The series explores the intricacies of first love. How did you and Michael Cooper Jr. cultivate the on-screen chemistry between Keisha and Justin, and what discussions did you have to ensure authenticity in their relationship?
Michael and I have had so many conversations leading up to filming about comfort levels as well as excitement about the project! That excitement definitely translated into our interactions on set. BUT! We didn’t talk much when first filming to keep a sense of mystery and anxiety [laughs]. We were familiar with one another while wanting to connect and I believe Justin and Keisha delivered!
Keisha and Justin’s decision to part ways is both heartfelt and heartbreaking. What insights did you gain about young love and personal growth through this narrative arc?
I was reassured that although young love may not be the wisest, there’s a special kind of wisdom one gains from it.
Given the show’s modern take on Judy Blume’s novel, how do you think ‘Forever’ addresses contemporary issues of teenage sexuality and autonomy compared to the original work?
It highlights the spaces in which teenagers take up space in today’s world. In the outside world, in schools and on social media. It addresses consent in a natural way that would come up for an awkward teen. I appreciate how tasteful it is!
Working under the direction of Mara Brock Akil and Regina King must have been impactful. Can you share specific moments or guidance from them that influenced your performance?
I was influenced by these two amazing women every day. I like to say that I’m observant, and just by watching, one can learn so much! They move through the industry with such grace and happiness as well as a deep appreciation for the story! It gets no better than this, honestly.
top. Barabara Bui @ CLOAK WARDROBE
skirt. Bach Mai
shoes. Marc Fisher
earrings, necklace, bangles + cuff. Alexis Bittar
rings. GRISÉ NYC
opposite
full Look. PROCODE DRESS
earrings. MISHO
bangles. Dinosaur Designs
rings + ear cuffs. Elena Matallana
Music plays a significant role in setting the show’s tone. Were there particular songs or musical themes that resonated with you and helped you connect deeper with Keisha’s journey?
I made a Keisha playlist while prepping for ‘Forever’! One song that played a lot was “While We’re Young” by Jhene Aiko!
The series has been praised for its authentic portrayal of Black teenage experiences. How did the production team ensure cultural authenticity, and what role did you play in that process?
Production stayed true to the black LA life by hiring people who live or love LA, which doesn’t get any better for storytelling. Those that can really lend a true perspective. And for those who are not from LA, the majority of the cast and crew were black! It was like being with family, working on our story! Our collective as well as separate upbringings.
As someone who has transitioned from supporting roles to leading a series, how has this experience shaped your perspective on storytelling and representation in the industry?
It’s confirmed everything I’ve always believed. There is a universal truth as well as an appreciation for stories that involve people who move through the world that look like me.
Reflecting on your journey with ‘Forever’, what message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from Keisha’s story?
I hope they take away understanding. Keisha is complex and lovable, making her like all of us!
Photographer Alice Consonni lenses Sky with a cinematic softness in this Schön! editorial, styled by Stela Plaka who uses looks by Elie Saab, VIVETTA, Diana Klisaris and more, with hair by Alessia Trotta and make up by Jo Gandola.
top. Marie Lemet
top. SUNNEI
skirt. Vlerë
jewellery. Freya Haimi
opposite
top, skirt + shoes. Elie Saab
jewellery. Anton Koppenwallner
dress. RAMELLE
skirt. Kevin Brandi
bag. GB-DAVID
opposite
jacket. Vlerë
sunglasses. TAVAT
jewellery. Pavé The Way
sunglasses. TAVAT
jewellery. Pavé The Way
accessories. Freya Haimi
opposite
top. Elie Saab
jewellery. Anton Koppenwallner
bag. GB-DAVID
top. Marie Lemet
top. SUNNEI
skirt. Vlerë
shoes. My Chalom
jewellery. Freya Haimi
opposite
top. Vlerë
trousers. Diana Klisaris
shoes. Rick Owens
belt. Düttmann Design
dress. Daniele di Grazia
hat. Undercontrol Studio
jewellery. Pavé The Way
belt. Laura Pino
opposite
dress. RAMELLE
skirt. Kevin Brandi
shoes. LOLO Ballerina
bag. GB-DAVID
How do you like your whiskey? Sophie and Lena like to sip it dressed up in Jil Sander, Prada, and Coach, styled by Maya Lu, with photography by Frauke Joana and hair and makeup byAndrea Young.
top + skirt. MAIAMI
shoes. GANNI
scarf. The Row
tights. HUDSON
opposite
coat, shoes + belt. Jil Sander
tights. HUDSON
top + skirt. MAIAMI
shoes. GANNI
scarf. The Row
tights. HUDSON
