Under Armour appointed fashion designer Tim Coppens to serve as executive creative director of a new collection called UAS, which stands for Under Armour Sportswear.
Coppens will oversee the creative vision of the new line, which launches in the fall. The plan is to launch a line that goes “beyond the comforts of casual active wear and the trusted functionality of innovative athletic wear.”
“There is a desire for something new; a new twist on an American sportswear brand that allows the ambitious generation to go longer, faster and harder with intuitive product and a modern style,” Coppens said in a statement. “Under Armour is in a unique position to take on the task of defining this space with an authentic east coast sports and innovation brand footprint that is armed to enter the lifestyle market.”
Coppens, known for his work on his namesake collection, previously worked at Adidas and RLX, the athletic branch of Ralph Lauren. He is known for his innovative fabrics and unique construction.
Athletic influences run deep within Coppens’ eponymous line, and since its launch in 2011, Coppens has garnered a finalist spots for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and LVMH Prize, a CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear and a CFDA Award nomination for Menswear Designer of the Year, among other accolades.
“I am thrilled to be working with Tim. I knew he was the right creative director for UAS because of his unique experience working with both performance brands and true, high-fashion labels,” said Senior Vice President of Sportswear at Under Armour, Ben Pruess in the release. “His understanding of both worlds and ability to craft a creative expression to capture this is truly remarkable.”
“Together, we are creating a unique collection for the Beyond Ambitious generation – the young and determined professional,” said Pruess.
Including men’s and women’s footwear, footwear and accessories, the collection will be exclusively available this fall at Under Armour’s flagship locations in New York and Chicago, select department stores and an e-commerce website separate from Under Armour at UnderArmourSportswear.com, currently under construction.
