Football and fashion’s symbiosis continues through fictitious teams like Pompeii Club de Futbol. But are these brands turned “teams” in it for the long run, or are they simply riding a wave of what’s trendy at the moment?
Pompeii is a fashion brand out of Madrid that celebrates the “constant movement of the soul, body, and mind.”
Given its location and ethos, it’s no wonder the label has made a foray in to football. Having developed an elegant style and aesthetic since its inception in 2014, Pompeii has now birthed what it claims as “The Best Dressed Football Club in the World;” Pompeii Club de Futbol.
This new fictitious club, one that doesn’t play games or have a stadium, is another addition to a trend we’ve seen via imprints like Asbury Park FC or Saltair FC in the United States. In December 2023, Pompeii linked up with Kappa, the Italian brand that is so deeply ingrained in the game, to establish the club. The collection quickly spread like wildfire across the internet, and Pompeii FC was on the map.
Now, the two collaborators are back again for a second season, continuing on the themes and aesthetics from the first go around.
Kappa knows how it is done in the sport, kitting out teams in the coolest of ways for years and becoming an icon in the blend of football and fashion. Think classic, vintage pieces with clubs like Real Betis, Barcelona, and Juventus. And more recently, think Venezia FC, Athens Kallithea, SSC Bari, and FC Versailles. Now? Think Pompeii Club de Futbol.
With this latest release, Pompeii CF have a strong case for their lofty title of best dressed club in the world. Their first kit from December features a deep green base complemented with dark navy and gold details including the iconic Kappa Banda down the sleeves. With a classic collar combined with cuffed sleeves, this is a proper football shirt. “Madrid Gran Sastreria” (Madrid Great Tailoring) dons the midriff of the shirt in classy cursive typography, adding to the luxurious feeling this club breathes.
Season two sees a pair of kits — a home and away — in similar color schemes as the first release, but with “Visita Madrid” (Visit Madrid) across the chest. They’ve also expanded the collection to include accessories — shorts, track jacket, a hat, and a scarf.
Fans have driven football culture since the sport’s inception, and Pompeii CF understands that notion quite clearly. On its website, the club says it is “the place where we understand football kits are worn at times by players, but mostly by fans.”
What makes it even more interesting is that Pompeii is appealing to a section of fans through this release. The more hardcore fashionistas in the football space were probably drooling and ogling at this release like a cartoon character in love. Pompeii x Kappa is exactly what the culture vultures want from football, and would probably be labeled “one for the hipsters” if it came out 10 years ago. Now, a pair of collections like this have become de rigueur.
The football and fashion partnership is at the highest point it has ever been, and this collaboration is yet another addition to a scene that is bursting at the seams. Will Kim Kardashian be spotted donning the Pompeii Club de Futbol home shirt? Who knows. Until then, we await to see what is next from this “club” and whether or not their move into football culture is a snatch-and-grab or if they’re really about it.
