Field of Dreams
Fashioning sportswear today has gone beyond the popularity it got the first time it became a trend two years ago.
Season after season, sportswear has evolved from in-the-moment must-have to an everyday essential. Design has taken it to the extremes — from minimal to maximal. As a result, a plethora of brands influenced by the different fields of sports came about.
In the Philippines, Filipino-British football player Neil Etheridge and business partner Maxine Chua formed the up-and-coming clothing brand NE1. The symbolic name stands for three things — Etheridge’s jersey number, his goalkeeping school, and the next fashion staple in Manila, which is a fusion of sports and streetwear style that transcends into modern classic pieces for everyday wear.
There is more to NE1 than just being a stylish clothing line. “My vision for NE1 is for it to be a recognized fashion brand. As some may know, we already have the NE1 Goalkeeping School, which reflects one half of me. But I also have a massive passion for fashion, which is where the idea on NE1 came from. The athletic look has become not just a trend but also a lifestyle,” Etheridge said.
He added, “My vision is to start with pieces that will have people get to know the brand. From there, I would like to take the brand further with different designs.”
Neil Etheridge is one of the best in his field; his passion, dedication and excellence in the sport has become an example to the many young aspiring Filipinos. Just recently, he was named Man of the Match for two consecutive games for Walsall Football Club.
Off the field and out of his jersey, Etheridge has his unique sense of style. His stylish manner of dressing and penchant for interesting pieces are seen through his everyday wear. Despite his killer looks and distinct sense of fashion, he’s just a regular guy with a big heart and a good sense of humor.
Growing up with sports as his life, Etheridge has become a stellar athlete with a visionary quest. His dream of connecting fashion to sports is realized through the birth of NE1. The brand is set to open a new avenue of style from the streets to the fields to make the modern sportswear lifestyle a reality.
(Visit NE1GK on Facebook, @NE1gk on Instagram, e-mail ccontact@NE1gk.com or call 0917-9773111.)
