Ode to Orlando Pirates - TimesLIVE

Football goes off the pitch and onto the runway as beloved Johannesburg-based football club Orlando Pirates FC debuted its new third kit at SA Fashion Week (SAFW) AW27 on October 24 at The Forum, Hyde Park, making them the first Premier Soccer League team to showcase on the SAFW stage. In a global first, From Field To Fashion merged football culture with fashion in collaboration with four SA fashion designer brands: Nao Serati, Good Good Good, Yona and David Tlale.

Sebastian Pedersen at SAFW. The newly launched Orlando Pirates jersey by Adidas is a limited-edition creation for the 2026/27 season. “We want to bring art and sport to the SAFW runway because fashion connects with both. Together, they give us an opportunity to tell South African stories and show our designers’ work in a different way. These collaborations allow our designers to broaden their reach, engage new audiences, create content and attract media attention,” says SAFW founder Lucilla Booyzen.

With a vibrant colourway of maroon, orange and pops of purple and red accents, the newly launched Orlando Pirates jersey by Adidas is a limited-edition creation for the 2026/27 season that draws inspiration from the landscapes of Soweto, resilience, character and generations that have shaped the club’s identity since 1937.

From pantsula culture and streetwear influences to contrasting prints and modular pieces, the show brought together the best of South African fashion design and creative prowess, showcasing the new jersey styled with fashion-forward designer pieces on Orlando Pirates football icons: Cristian Derbyshire, Happy Jele, Andre de Jong, Innocent Maela, Fortune Makaringe, Zoey Manyepau, Brighton Mhlongo, Linda Mntambo, Sebastian Pedersen and Neo Rapoo.

Ahead of taking to the runway, we went backstage where players were captured in their looks and showing off their impressive ball skills by acclaimed photographer Chris Saunders.