NEW LAUNCH INNOVATIVE PRODUCT GLOBAL
By IFAB MEDIA - NEWS BUREAU - May 22, 2024 | 75 4 minutes read
Delivering on their shared commitment to grow the game and serve the next generation of hoopers, Nike and Sabrina Ionescu are proud to introduce the Sabrina 2 signature collection.
Built on the success of the WNBA sharpshooter’s first signature shoe and apparel line, the new collection features the Sabrina 2 shoe and a suite of lifestyle apparel designed to serve all who love the game. The line is infused with personal design cues inspired by Sabrina’s name and background, and her shoe and select apparel will be available in kids’ sizes for the first time.
At the center of the collection is the Sabrina 2 signature shoe, built for players who want to accelerate and cut with quickness. To that end, Nike design teams partnered closely with Sabrina to combine the best of the Sabrina 1 with fresh upgrades that create a shoe that’s 28 grams lighter and doesn’t sacrifice support, stability or comfort.
The Sabrina 2 offers a precise blend of softness and stability, featuring a plush Cushlon 3.0 foam midsole — seen for the first time in a Nike basketball shoe — contained within a firmer Cushlon foam carrier. A Nike Zoom Air unit in the forefoot helps provide energy return and responsiveness, while an updated band system wraps around the midfoot to provide a glove-like fit that helps the foot stay secure. On the rubber outsole, a new “S”-inspired herringbone pattern provides multidirectional traction for quick cuts.
The shoe’s design is highlighted by an “S” frame that wraps around the upper, which is complemented by intricate stitching and embroidery patterns that nod to Sabrina’s initials and number. On the medial side of the shoe, a vertically slanted Swoosh strikes through the stitchwork, resembling shattered glass from the ceilings Sabrina continues to break. Underneath the foot, an exposed Swoosh and “i” allude both to Sabrina’s last name and the exclamation point she puts on her game.
Select colorways will feature mirror-finished Swooshes, an affirmation from Sabrina to the next generation to see themselves in the shoe, which will be available in grade-school sizing.
In creating the Sabrina 2, as with the Sabrina 1, Nike product design teams leveraged women-specific research and insights, along with those from Sabrina herself, while validating their findings with male athletes to ensure the shoe serves all who wear it.
Sabrina also worked directly with Nike apparel design teams to create her Sabrina 2 signature apparel collection, which features two tees and three new styles: a hoodie, short and reversible bomber jacket. The kids’ collection includes a hoodie and short.
Each of the pieces reflects Sabrina’s personal style, featuring her signature logo — an ambigram that takes on the appearance of a continuous link, honoring family and loyalty — alongside subtle design cues that underscore her precise attention to detail.