An iconic "must-have" of the 1980's pop culture scene, the Reebok
Freestyle will forever go down in history as the athletic shoe that
changed the face of women's fitness. Twenty-five years later, the
Reebok Freestyle remains one of the best selling shoes of all time. To
commemorate the 25th anniversary, Reebok kicks off "Freestyle
Forever," an exclusive event to launch the new 25th Anniversary
Freestyle Collection and to celebrate the brightest moments in
Freestyle history, both then and now. The star-studded, invite-only,
celebration takes place on March 1st in New York City.
Debuting with the 25 Candles Freestyle to commemorate the exciting
25th birthday, the 2007 Freestyle collection will also feature six
limited-edition Freestyles varying from authentic bringbacks to
modern-day artist collaborations. Beginning in March 2007, the
footwear will be available on www.rbk.com and at select boutiques
around the world for a suggested price range of $65-$150.
"Reebok is passionate about debuting the 25th Anniversary
Freestyle Collection because the shoe represents our history as the
brand that pioneered the women's fitness movement and started the
high-top fashion trend," said Reebok's Chief Marketing Officer, Uli
Becker. "Today, fashion is about freedom of expression and keeping it
real. Back in the '80s, the Freestyle was worn by women who wanted to
make a statement about their authenticity and individuality, and that
still holds true today."
One of the first athletic shoes created especially for women, the
original Reebok Freestyle symbolized female empowerment. After
revolutionizing the industry and igniting the women's aerobics dance
craze in 1982, the Freestyle made up more than half of the sales for
Reebok in 1984. In 1986, Reebok launched the ad campaign "Life Is Not
a Spectator Sport." Highlighting the Freestyle, the campaign
encouraged women to become active participants in the world of
fitness. This message strongly resonated and gained an astounding
following of trendy young female consumers of the time. The
groundbreaking ad coupled with top celebrity endorsements, including
model Cindy Crawford, singer Paula Abdul and most notably the
appearance of iconic actress Cybill Shepherd wearing a bright orange
pair at the 1985 Emmy Awards, solidified the Freestyle's status as a
key fashion item.
Today, the Reebok Freestyle is worn by female fashion leaders
around the world, from the bustling city streets to suburban high
schools. With the '80s style continuing to surge ahead, the milestone
anniversary Freestyle collection is perfectly on trend for today's
global fashionista.
Celebrities from the past and present alike appreciate the
pioneering spirit the Reebok Freestyle exudes. Even those stars too
young to have worn the original Freestyles back in the day, recognize
the impact the collection has had on today's modern fashion.
"The '80s style is so fun and colorful, I love how the trend in
still alive today with big earrings, bright oversize tops and most
importantly shoes like the Reebok Freestyle," said global tennis
phenom Nicole Vaidisova. "I love the classic high-top design and they
look great with jeans."
In March 2007, Reebok will launch the Freestyle microsite
accessible on www.rbk.com. On the site, visitors will have the
exclusive chance to be among the first to purchase new Freestyles as
soon as they are released. In addition, consumers may view footage
from the 25th anniversary launch event, learn more about the history
of the collection and will be able to take part in exciting
promotions.
Reebok International, based in Canton, Massachusetts, is a leading
worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of sports, fitness and
casual footwear, apparel and equipment. A subsidiary of the adidas
Group, the company operates under the Reebok, CCM, Jofa, and Koho
brands. For more information, visit Reebok at www.rbk.com.
