Archive Research Project, or A.R.P., is an exclusive high-end collection, fruit of a collaboration between Umbro and Aitor Throup. The designer, who had already worked with the British football tailoring brand in the past, plunged into Umbro’s extensive archives and used them as inspiration to create iconic clothing items.

The new A.R.P. collection will be unveiled this week at Pitti Uomo

The result: a line of 7 high-quality items inspired by the world of football, with an emphasis on black and white shades. If successful in catching the eyes of buyers, the collection should be available for sale in exclusive points of sale from July onwards. Umbro is currently distributed in 900 locations in France alone.

Furthermore, Umbro’s investment on its distribution network shows the brand’s wish to broaden its appeal and move upmarket, but the brand will never lose its football roots: a sport to which it owes its history and reputation.