Issue
N°8
Toulouse United
Toulouse FC and Stade Toulousain have created a one-of-a-kind shirt. We spoke with them about the creative process behind it.
Issue
N°8
Toulouse FC and Stade Toulousain have created a one-of-a-kind shirt. We spoke with them about the creative process behind it.
Last week, Stade Toulousain (rugby) and Toulouse FC unveiled Capitolium. A world first: two genuinely distinct clubs joining forces with their equipment supplier, Nike, to create a shared shirt. It is a tribute to the Capitole, Toulouse's city hall, merging the two sporting cultures of the Pink City. Mathieu Lacombe, Toulouse FC's Marketing Director, takes us behind the creative process of this remarkable piece.
The breakthrough came when we realized that our two clubs shared far more than just a city: a history, a set of values, and a common ambition. The Capitole naturally emerged as the unifying symbol, and that's when the idea of a single shirt truly made sense.
Nike was a key partner in bringing this project to life, supporting us on the technical feasibility and providing unprecedented visibility through their platform. But the concept, the creative direction, and the storytelling all came entirely from our teams. This collaboration is 100% Toulouse, and that's precisely where its strength lies.
But the concept, the creative direction, and the storytelling all came entirely from our teams.
Mathieu Lacombe
Toulouse FC
Palladia Tolosa is a celebration of Toulouse's Occitan identity, extending far beyond sport. The name evokes poetry, culture, and a sense of freedom that defines our city. Palladia references Pallas Athena, goddess of wisdom, while Tolosarecalls our historical heritage.
By removing our club crests in favor of Capitolium, complemented by Palladia Tolosa, we wanted to create a universal narrative, one that speaks to every person in Toulouse.
The easy option would have been to use our traditional club colors—purple, red, and black—but once again, we wanted to do something different.
This shirt is not simply sportswear; it is an object of desire, a lifestyle piece fully aligned with contemporary trends. The off-white tones, the ochres, and the Capitole's golden hues were no accident. They reflect our ambition to create a timeless, elegant, and highly desirable product, well beyond the pitch.
This is a shirt meant to be worn as clothing, not merely displayed as a sporting symbol. It's our way of saying that our clubs are firmly rooted in their era and deeply attentive to their audiences.
This collaboration is a starting point, not an exception.
This collaboration is a starting point, not an exception. The feedback we've received shows there is real momentum to build upon. We are already considering other projects. The goal, of course, is not to merge our identities, but to create bridges between our communities.
Toulouse sport has everything to gain from working hand in hand, while preserving what makes each of us unique.
Shooting Capitole : Toulouse FC/Stade Toulousain
Shooting Garonne : Clément Chazalnoel/NOFC
