Football Shirt Culture.com

We are very pleased to announce that the winner of our competition to design a Nike kit for Poland is Antonio Bordallo with his "Białe Orły" design.

From top to bottom (and certainly front to back) this kit holds originality and classic style in spades and every area gave the judges something to get excited about. 

Firstly, the front of the shirt is bold, simple but incredibly effective.  We saw the Polish flag being incorporated in some form by the vast majority of the entries but we particularly liked how this design's bar effect also combined well with the centred crest, loyal to the flag's impression but also to modern design. 

This coat of arms is positioned similarly when the flag is used for official events so, whilst centred crests aren't for everybody, this kept an element of national authenticity that appeals.  The crest perhaps seems a little higher than is standard but it works and going against the grain is what helps design to evolve. 

The use of ecru brings originality.  An extra splash of colour did wonders for the most recent Holland kit and it that works here too.  On the edging on the sleeves - nicely tempered with the red, on the shirt's Swoosh and, particularly, on the socks the Poland kit is modernised with care and sophistication.  Traditionalism is not dispensed with but simply adapted to allow for an injection of new ideas.

Which takes us to the superb reverse.  On the back of the simple red v-neck we find the reference to the team's nickname and an understated use of the "wing" logo that so many designers used.  Lovely details added but carried out with restraint to not take away from the rest of the shirt and the wonderful wycinanki panel.  This is a tradition I certainly wasn't aware of prior to being involved in the judging of these designs and something that in this way, in a light grey rather than a watermark, puts a clear but not overbearing twist on the overall effect.

So there it is, a triumph for Antonio.  A great kit and that's without even mentioning the asymmetrical red stitching on the right sleeve, the flag design on the socks and the large Swoosh on the rear of the shorts (don't worry, we loved those parts too).  Congratulations.

Now, as much as we adored Antonio's design we shouldn't forget the other entries.  When the kits were being uploaded and also first shown to our guest judges (I could tell you who they are but I'd have to shoot you afterwards) there was a mixture of delight, excitement and - for some - nervousness.  The final decision was far from easy.  So many different styles, approaches and standpoints but in so many cases the result is superb. 

Watch them all at Design Football.com