Li-NING – Celebrates the Athlete in All of Us
Patrick Michael Hughes
Milan Men’s Fashion Week Debut
Li- NING made its Milan debut during Men’s Fashion Week. The Fall/Winter 2026 show, titled The Athlete in All of Us, was staged as the region prepares to host the Winter Olympics. The brand is once again the official sponsor of the Chinese Olympic team.
The Winter Olympics in Cortina D’Ampezzo begin on February 6, a few weeks after Milan Fashion Week Men’s. Li-Ning is the second biggest sportswear brand in China. The brand continues to battle for a larger share of the Chinese sportswear market from key competitors such as Anta, Adidas and Nike.
Shifting Winter Market Diversity
Winter sports are becoming more diverse and inclusive. There is a market opening for creating fresh opportunities for brands prioritizing community, joy and participation over elite performance
Li NING’s model casting in this collection highlighted the changing global demographic of winter sports and activities. According to the Asia Pacific Athletic Conference (APAC) is celebrating 26million participants in China in 2024/25. This is a 12.9% increase from the previous season. Additional statics estimate that between 2024-2025, China expects 520 million participants in ice and snow leisure tourism, which is predicted to generate $1.1 billion in revenue.
Snowsports Industries America (SIA) reports that most of the growth in winter sports participation has come from the under-18 and 18- to 24-year-old age groups. The share of participants who are Hispanic and/or Black has also continued to increase. SIA data further illustrates, shifting markets reaching new highs for both groups. The lates data highlights that approximately 13% of participants identifying as Black and 17% identifying as Hispanic. Inclusion and accessibility will be key themes in the growing snow sports appeal. There are efforts in the Cortina D’Ampezzo to break down barriers for entry. These goals are held in high esteem by the Winter Games.
Ceremony and Celebration
Li- NING’s presentation opened with a ceremonial tribute to sport. The fall /winter collection was designed as an immersive journey. Guests entered through a vintage alpine train station. The environment slowly transformed into a stark, white landscape inspired by snowfields, leading to the main show space designed like a winter sports arena.
Sixty looks were shown, beginning with Li-NING Glory (LNG) and followed by Li-Ning Glory (LNCN). For the finale, light snow began to fall in the venue. Founder Mr. Li-Ning, Jackie Chan, and athlete Ma Long joined the models on the runway, closing the brand’s first major show in Milan.
Li- Ning Glory-(LNG)
Li-NING Glory (LNG) is a utilitarian collection, designed for modern life and adventure. It focuses on versatile, precise silhouettes and technical fabrics, meant to move seamlessly from work to daily activities. The line made its international fashion week debut alongside the collaboration with actor Jackie Chan. The collection’s looks to the rise of and urban games events, which shift focus from the slopes to streetwear with an athletic edge. This is another off shoot of clubhouse style. In this instance it is season specific and leans into a more multigenerational look fusing luxury and sport.
The textiles were technical, commuter friendly and work well together in monochromatic styling. There were light knee length jackets wind with water-wicking sensibilities. These sweeping forms were styled as top layers to zip front nylon hoodies and light jackets. The silhouettes were accented with contrasting technical textiles. These details contributed to forming a stronger sport like feeling in the clothing. Also advancing to the overall performance look were, base layers in fleece, quarter zip knits as well as details of Velcro, and utility style pockets and closures. These looks have an appeal to everyday explorers seeking adventures and nature walks.
Li-Ning China (LNCN)
Li-NING China (LNCN) is the brand’s premium offering. It takes a more youthful and expressive approach. The collection is built on three pillars: firstly the brand’s symbolic box logo, archival podium suits that recall athletic victories, and secondly traditional Chinese motifs like the Icey Plum, which symbolizes resilience in winter. Finally the color palette uses the brand’s iconic red and heritage tones, alongside aurora-inspired shades, form past Olympics. A highlight of this collection were the scenic printed jackets and intarsia knits. Footwear was central. Key styles included the updated Furious Rider Ace 3.0, the winter-ready Wudao Boot Low, the women’s Ling Long, and the new Chaoran model.These designs bridge professional functionality with a contemporary look.
Li- NING website
Share this post
Patrick Michael Hughes is a fashion and decorative arts historian. He writes about fashion culture past and present making connections to New York, London and Copenhagen's fashion weeks with an eye toward men's fashion. He joined IRK Magazine as a fashion men's editor during winter of 2017.
He is often cited as a historical source for numerous pieces appearing in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, LVMH, Conde Nast, Highsnobiety and others. His fashion career includes years as a fashion reporter/producer of branded content for the New York local news in the hyper digital sector. Patrick's love of travel and terrain enabled him to becoming an experienced cross-country equestrian intensively riding in a number of locations in South America Scandinavia,The United Kingdom and Germany. However, he is not currently riding, but rather speaking internationally to designers, product development teams, marketing teams and ascending designers in the US, Europe and China.
Following his BA in the History of Art from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York he later completed graduate studios in exhibition design in New York. it was with the nudge and a conversation in regard to a design assignment interviewing Richard Martin curator of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art he was encouraged to consider shifting his focus to the decorative arts with a concentration in fashion history and curation.
Patrick completed graduate studies 17th and 18th century French Royal interiors and decoration and 18th century French fashion culture at Musée Les Arts Decoratifs-Musée de Louvre in Paris. Upon his return to New York along with other classes and independent studies in American fashion he earned his MA in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from the Parsons/Cooper Hewitt Design Museum program in New York. His final specialist focus was in 19th century English fashion and interiors with distinction in 20th century American fashion history and design.
Currently, he is an Associate Teaching Professor at Parsons School of Design leading fashion history lecture-studios within the School of Art and Design History and Theory,
Read Next
