Sports company PUMA and AC Milan on Monday unveiled the new AC Milan third kit to be worn by the men’s, women’s and youth teams for the 2020-21 season.

The third kit is inspired by the trailblazing designs of Milan’s alta moda.

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy and regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world – a symbol of luxury, sophistication and quality. Milan is rich with culture, a true cosmopolitan city with style at the core of its DNA. To celebrate Milanese and Italian high-end fashion, PUMA has created a unique AC Milan third kit by integrating a pattern synonymous with tailoring: the iconic houndstooth pattern into the jersey’s design.

The houndstooth pattern is characterised by an almost checked appearance, made up of a repeating geometric block. The pattern originated in Scotland and traditionally utilises dark and light alternating checks. The pattern quickly became a staple in wool suiting and outwear and a pattern frequently utilised in Italian high-end fashion. To include a Milan-specific detail, PUMA has rotated the original houndstooth pattern 45 degrees to showcase the ‘M’ in the pattern’s design.

David Bremond, head of product line management teamsport at PUMA, said: ‘The AC Milan third kit is a continuation of our crafted-by-culture theme. We looked at how the city and the culture of Milan influence the world. Milan, being the capital of fashion, made it a logical choice to take our inspiration from such a strong cultural influence. This is the reason why we wanted to bring to life a classic pattern to celebrate the city’s culture through the lens of fashion. Never before have Milan had a kit using this fashionable colour palette and for the first time ever, we have integrated an alta moda pattern into an AC Milan jersey.’

Casper Stylsvig, chief revenue officer of AC Milan, said: ‘Milan is a hub of elegance. Whether it be architecture, design, art or fashion, there are very few that could compete with the city. Playing on the architectural brilliance of Milan for the home kit, we wanted to source inspiration from the fashion capital for our third kit this season, as a huge part of the city’s global identity. The result was a decidedly innovative shirt that immediately met our taste and a colourway that will not only appeal to our AC Milan fanbase but to the masses. A beautiful, rich product that showcases the beauty of the Milanese lifestyle and culture to an international audience.’

The new AC Milan third hersey is a rich teal colour with the Houndstooth pattern printed tone on tone on to the bottom half of the jersey, complemented by teal shorts and socks to finish off the look.

The new jersey is equipped with PUMA’s thermoregulation technology, which provides an improved moisture management system to maintain the perfect body temperature. Combined with laser-cut perforation on the front and engineered jacquard at the back, the jersey offers the latest in fit and mobility for optimal performance.

The new AC Milan third kit is available from 25 August at PUMA.com, PUMA stores, Studio 88 and select retailers for R999.