Global athletic apparel and footwear brand Reebok collaborates with musician and creative visionary Tobe Nwigwe to unveil Reebok x Chukwu, launching exclusively on Reebok.com and specialty retailers on February 21, 2025.
This multi-season collaboration merges Nwigwe’s creative vision with the brand’s athletic heritage, explores his innovative approach to fashion and storytelling and combines his personal style with Reebok’s legacy of performance-driven design. For the debut line, “The Preseason”, Nwigwe and Reebok reimagined sport-inspired silhouettes, embodying both functionality and artistic expression.
Key pieces include the Coaches Jacket, a padded design featuring a double-end zip, embroidered graphics, and pleated back detailing for an oversized fit. The Football Jersey with the number 88 as a tribute to Nwigwe’s wife, Fat, and their five children, boasts intricate embroidery and satin stitch appliqués. The Graphic Hoodie offers heavyweight fleece with an overlapping double hood while the Graphic Tee presents a mock neck ribbed collar and embroidered graphics. The Sideline Jacket, available with a sherpa hood or collar, bears the Reebok x Chukwu embroidered logo. And, the Zip-Off Pant is crafted from linen with a relaxed fit and practical zip-off features.
“This is monumental—it’s my first time designing a shoe and an apparel capsule with a major brand, and I’m creating something that truly reflects my style, vision and perspective,” said Nwigwe. “I chose the Preseason to be my first shoe because it’s an immaculate silhouette—simple, yet iconic. The Preseason represents hard work and excellence and it felt like the perfect shoe to launch my own journey.”
The standout of the launch is the “The Chukwu OTU”, a bold reinterpretation of the Reebok Preseason Turf Trainer. It has a mixed material upper silhouette utilising textile, suede and nubuck leather to form curved overlays. The design combines an archival aesthetic with modern sensibility. The OTU, meaning “One” in Igbo, is a tribute to Nwigwe’s Nigerian American roots, celebrating heritage and the universal pursuit of greatness.
“The OTU reflects my dual identity—being African American, first-generation American, and deeply connected to my Nigerian heritage. It’s more than a name; it’s the blending of cultures and values that shape who I am,” he added.
Nwigwe references the nostalgia of playing collegiate football and his love of the game, taking cues from silhouettes and textures found on the gridiron during the design process. In addition to The Chukwu OTU, collection highlights include a gender-neutral, game-inspired apparel capsule including pieces like Coach’s Jacket; Football Jersey; Graphic Hoodie; Sideline Jacket and Zip-Off Pant, executed in Nwigwe signature mint green and black, creating an intimate connection to his artistic vision and identity.
“Every detail, every element, works together to create something that feels both intricate and effortless at the same time, a reflection of my design philosophy—complex simplicity”, he concluded.
‘Reebok x Chukwu’ is available from February 21, 2025, exclusively from Reebok.eu and specialty retailers, with additional chapters from the overarching collaboration expected to release throughout the year.
Tobe Nwigwe
Houston-based musician and creative visionary Tobe Nwigwe is celebrated for his dynamic fusion of hip-hop, African rhythms and poetry. Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nwigwe brings his cultural heritage into his music. He started gaining recognition in 2014 with singles and became prolific by 2017 with projects like Tobe from the Swat.
His breakout in 2020 with a viral hit solidified his reputation as a rising force, known for thought-provoking messages and his commitment to empowering communities through art and music. His work has received attention from notable figures, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, who included his song “I’m Dope” on her workout playlist. In addition to his music career, Nwigwe ventured into acting and co-starred in the Netflix series “Mo” for which he received a nomination for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards.
Reebok
Reebok is a global athletic apparel and footwear brand known for its innovative designs and strong heritage in fitness culture. Founded in 1958 in England, Reebok quickly established itself as a leader in sportswear, pioneering the development of high-performance athletic shoes for a range of activities, including running, aerobics, and cross-training. The brand gained widespread recognition in the 1980s with the release of its iconic Reebok Freestyle, a shoe designed for women in aerobics. Today, Reebok continues to combine cutting-edge technology with style, catering to athletes and fitness enthusiasts while maintaining its reputation for quality, performance, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of sportswear innovation.
Reebok’s vision is deeply rooted in its legacy within the fitness industry, aiming to leverage its heritage as a catalyst for innovation and competitive excellence. As a trailblazer in designing sportswear, Reebok seeks to build on its storied past to create cutting-edge products. The brand’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its continuous effort to anticipate and set new standards in sportswear. By drawing on its historical achievements and contemporary aesthetic, Reebok positions itself as a leader dedicated to shaping the future of fitness and athletic performance.
At the core of Reebok’s vision is a dedication to empowering every individual- be it professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts or children on the playground- to realise their full potential. Through its thoughtfully designed products, motivational initiatives and partnerships, Reebok aims to inspire and equip people to reach their highest aspirations. By fostering an environment that encourages excellence and supports personal growth, Reebok strives to help consumers, athletes, artists, partners and employees transcend their limitations and achieve goals they once deemed unattainable. The company currently operates in 80 countries with approximately 400 freestanding stores around the world.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.