The Lines That Connect Us: How Cross-Functional Teamwork Made the ADIDAS Z.N.E. Relaunch a Reality
A behind-the-scenes look at the teamwork, challenges, and vision that brought the new ADIDAS Z.N.E. to life.
When we started working on the new ADIDAS Z.N.E. (short for Zero Negative Energy), I knew this wasn’t going to be just another sportswear product. ADIDAS Z.N.E. had always been iconic, but we weren’t just bringing back a hoodie; we were reinventing it for a generation that values connection, teamwork, and a shared identity.
And in the end, the reward for me was seeing how ADIDAS Z.N.E. brought people together. There’s a special energy when you see fans, athletes, and teammates sharing in something recognizable—like they’re all part of the same team, even if they’ve never met. That’s what we wanted ADIDAS Z.N.E. to be: a piece that connects people, no matter who they are or where they’re from. And what made that vision a reality was the team that came together to bring it to life.
Working on ADIDAS Z.N.E. was a truly cross-functional effort, with every team—design, product, comms, retail—aligned on making this project a success. It’s easy to see the final product, but behind it was a huge collaboration across continents and disciplines. So let me take you behind the curtain to show you what it was really like to bring ADIDAS Z.N.E. back.
A design with purpose
The relaunch gained momentum with a workshop led by Josephine Aberg, then VP of Design, that brought the design teams for Men’s, Women’s, and Kids together in a way that hadn’t been done before. This alignment laid the foundation for Z.N.E. as a product that bridged demographics, creating a true unifying vision.
Building on this momentum, Alex Hindle and Caroline Drescher guided the design process with sharp attention to detail and cohesion. Their collaboration ensured that every piece reflected the spirit of unity while modernizing Z.N.E. for a new audience.
Meanwhile, Kyra Ladisch ensured the Men’s range maintained its bold, simple identity. Anna Most infused functionality and versatility into the Women’s collection, while Nadia Jano brought fresh energy and approachability to the Kids’ line. Despite their individual focuses, the teamwork was seamless, ensuring that every design stayed true to the overarching message of unity and connection.
As Nadia put it, “Each team member’s voice was valued, no matter their day-to-day focus, which made this style truly unifying.”
The signature lines of the hoodie across men’s, women’s, and children’s were a perfect example of this collaboration. Inspired by the markings on sports courts and fields, they symbolized connection and movement, tying the design back to the product’s roots in sport.
Reflecting on the vision behind the product, Tim Schiffers, one of the product managers, shared,
"We wanted the ADIDAS Z.N.E. hoodie to be the pinnacle expression of Sportswear to attract consumers that want to be close to sports or that have their lives revolve around sports and make them connect. This area is unique within the brand where lifestyle and performance inspire each other."
The pressure was on
Turning that concept into reality wasn’t easy. We had just eight weeks to go from sketches to a finished product—an ambitious timeline that demanded focus and adaptability from everyone involved.
Product managers Luke Bain and Tim Schiffers worked closely with factories, spending weeks in China to ensure every detail of the design came to life as intended. The hood, a defining feature of the hoodie, went through six iterations before it was finalized, balancing aesthetics and functionality.
Alex Hindle, who traveled to China alongside Luke and Tim on one of the factory visits, recalled, “I’ll never forget the final day at the factory. We were minutes away from leaving for the airport, and we finally saw the completed hood sample. Everyone—our team and the factory—celebrated because we knew we’d nailed it.”
The hood wasn’t just a design element; it was the heart of the hoodie, representing the seamless blend of form and function that defined the ADIDAS Z.N.E. collection.
A true team effort
What made this project special wasn’t just the product—it was the way we all worked together. This wasn’t just a product team effort. It was the comms team, retail, sports marketing, social—you name it, everyone was involved. And that was the only way we were going to pull this off.
Sara Herrera from comms was a huge part of making the storytelling behind ADIDAS Z.N.E. resonate with people. She kept us all focused on what this product was really about: connection. "The lines that connect us" wasn’t just a tagline; it was the heart of the entire campaign.
Post-COVID, Gen Z has been craving community more than ever. They don’t want to be alone in the chaos—they want to feel supported by their peers. And Sara made sure that message came through in every piece of content, from global activations to localized campaigns.
We ended up doing shoots with tight deadlines across the globe, from LA to Seoul, working with athletes like Jude Bellingham in Madrid, Noah Lyles in Ontario while training for the Olympics, Paulo Dybala in Rome, and Alessia Russo in London, alongside brand partners Tate McRae, Xochitl Gomez, and BABYMONSTER, to bring ADIDAS Z.N.E. into the spotlight. Seeing these athletes and brand partners wear Z.N.E. not only validated our vision but also highlighted the deep connection between sports and lifestyle.
“With eight shoots in four weeks, it was a marathon of coordination—from ensuring talent was aligned to managing global locations,” Sara shared.
"Yet, every challenge brought us closer to the final vision. Seeing everyone from across functions and continents come together to pull it off made this project unforgettable."
The lines that connect us
Now that the new ADIDAS Z.N.E. is out in the world, it’s incredible to see how it’s resonating with people. From athletes to everyday fans, people are connecting with the story behind the product. We saw clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid wear the new ADIDAS Z.N.E. during activations, and it felt like the hoodie had become a jersey for everyone.
Anna Sinn, now the VP of Design, who also played a crucial role in ensuring the project gained the attention it deserved, summed it up perfectly:
"It’s about more than just apparel. We designed every detail with purpose—the zippers, the stripes, everything. But what matters most is how ADIDAS Z.N.E. connects people. That’s the real story."
Looking back, this project was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career. The way everyone—design, marketing, comms, retail, and more—came together to bring ADIDAS Z.N.E. back is something I’ll never forget. It took a lot of trust, communication, and yes, a little bit of luck, but in the end, we created something that truly connects people.
And that’s what ADIDAS Z.N.E. is all about.
