Ok so HERE'S MY TAKE continuing the discussion on Polynesian/Pasifika design especially where design meets football jersey. Let me preface this THREAD by laying out a few things:(1/9)

I am not blasting any specific design, but truly want to take this opportunity to teach about Pasifika culture and design. Am I a pro designer? I wish, especially at Nike. Free swag is my life. (2/9)

Am I a Pasifika tattoo expert? No. I have some but I relay all expertise to the Frost City guys like @LalaEllsworth. Far be it from me, as a creative, to tell another creative that their creation is wrong. (3/9)

I encourage all attempts to explore, understand and imitate Pasifka culture - it is the sincerest form of flattery. Without further ado here are 4 ways Nike x Oregon got it right: (4/9)

1. Nike x Sig Zane. SZ is a hawaiian designer who Nike colaborated with to ensure the designs were authentic. If you don't know who he is, look him up. Very cool stuff.
2. They modernized Pasifika tribal - made it clean, crisp and simple. (5/9) https://sigzanedesigns.com/ 

3. They protected the meaning of each character. This is the most important part to me - each character is a actual thing we find on the islands that also symbolizes a trait important to the wearer. Triangles often are sharks teeth which can symbolize guidance/power. (6/9)

Weave patterns resemble baskets we make of leaves and can symbolize strength/unity. Little V shapes often resemble birds or fish symbolize life - in my tatau, the fish symbolize my family roots from Mataika, a village in Tonga. (7/9)

4. They were clever with using texture. The symbols became patterns which became textures in the design - like the lei around the neck of the jersey, the bangles in the arm sleeve, or feather-cloak imagery in the front, or the almost fern-like stripe down the helmet. (8/9)

Pasifika tribal is more than just wallpaper to be rolled over a jersey. To me, I appreciate if the designs are well thought out. I appreciate understanding. Most of all, I appreciate free swag if I think the design is dope. I'm looking at you Oregon. (9/9)

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk