HOT PROPS : BY DESIGN
Special Equipment
Think soccer and more than likely Tiffany & Co. is not the first name that comes to mind. But don’t exclude the legendary jewelry maker from the game. After all, futball- loving customers of their international boutiques haven’t. Even before the World-Cup hype, Tiffany’s carried signature sterling silver accessories such as cuff links ($85), ballpoint pens ($80) and screwball key rings ($50 to $60) tipped with a soccer ball or cleat, left. “Our clients find them novel,” notes spokeswoman Jo Ellen Qualls. “We find we’re getting requests for extensions to the line.”
Dog on the Sidelines
It wouldn’t be an Event without the official merchandise. Licensed World Cup ’94 product is certainly “making soccer history” as the logo says, but so far it’s at the register. Tees ($19), shorts ($20), fanny packs ($15) and gear bags ($16) are moving faster as the games near, report managers at county Oshman’s Sporting Goods stores. At Oshman’s in MainPlace/Santa Ana, official WC ’94 watches ($30) don’t stay in stock long, says assistant manager Adam Fleischer. “We’ve been seeing more people--especially young adults--demanding anything World Cup,” he says. The only loser, he adds, is anything with the mascot. “People aren’t dying for the dog.”
A Throw In
Licensees aren’t the only ones benefiting from World Cup madness. Rob Claiborne, the Faconnable buyer for all Orange County Nordstrom stores, is seeing “tremendous response” for the French label’s soccer detailed sportswear. Nordie men are clamoring for T-shirts ($19.50), sweat shirts ($65) and sweat pants ($60) saluting their favorite world sport. The hottest number is a jersey ($155), featured this month in a nationwide campaign in GQ and Esquire. “Customers are getting more excited now. They want a souvenir of the year, a collector’s piece. They’ve even stopped saying ‘soccer’ for ‘football,’ ” quips Claiborne.
Fishy Feet
Forwards on the U.S. and German teams will appear to be working magic on the field when they kick the ball one way and it goes another. But there’s no trickery at work here, just technology courtesy of Adidas’ new Predator shoe ($150). It’s all the buzz in the soccer community, says Fred Nassirkhani, owner of the Soccer Shoppe in Mission Viejo. Available only at soccer equipment retailers, the shoe, above, is already finding fans among AYSO player’s feet in South County. Fish-like fins increase the grip between the shoe and ball for greater control and spin when shooting and passing. “It looks strange, but it works great,” Nassirkhani says.
