Summary:
- Li-Ning presented its A/W26 collection at Milan Men's Fashion Week on January 16, 2026, at Padiglione Visconti
- The show featured two collections: Li-Ning Glory for everyday performance and Li-Ning China (LNCN) with winter sports references
- The presentation coincided with Milan's preparation to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, where Li-Ning sponsors the Chinese Olympic Team
Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning returned to Milan for the Autumn/Winter 2026 season, presenting The Athlete in All of Us collection during Milan Men's Fashion Week. The show took place on January 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Padiglione Visconti. The timing aligned with Milan's preparation for the Winter Olympics, where Li-Ning will sponsor the Chinese Olympic Team for another season.
The collection drew from winter sports culture, combining references to professional disciplines like snowboarding and skiing with retro athletic aesthetics. Design elements included vintage ice hockey styles and nostalgic sportswear silhouettes. A collective of creatives developed the collection, building on Li-Ning's history in winter sports.
The show presented 60 looks across two distinct collections, both connected through the central theme.
Li-Ning Glory opened the presentation. This collection targets people moving through work, daily commitments, and personal projects. The design focuses on versatility and function. Contemporary silhouettes feature precise fits combined with advanced technical fabrics. The collection made its debut at an international fashion week. The runway also introduced Li-Ning Glory x Jackie Chan, a collaboration with the actor.
Li-Ning China (LNCN) followed as the premium line. This collection offers a different interpretation of winter sports culture, mixing youthful expression with professional technical wear. The design hierarchy starts with the Li-Ning China box logo as the visual anchor. Archive podium suits provide the next layer, linking to the brand's sports heritage. Traditional Chinese cultural elements appear through the Icey Plum motif and glacier-inspired textures, representing resilience in extreme winter conditions.
The color palette referenced victories from Li Ning's athletic career. The brand's signature red appeared alongside heritage colors. Aurora-inspired combinations recalled the podium suits worn at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The collection reinterpreted the track suit format with modern styling.
Footwear played a central role in the winter narrative. The Furious Rider Ace 3.0 returned with updated design features, strengthening both visual presence and technical performance. The model has appeared in previous fashion week presentations. Other styles included the Wudao Boot Low for winter protection, the Ling Long designed for women with structural lightness, and the Chaoran, introducing a new approach to winter footwear with functional protection.
Guests entered through a set designed as a journey through time. The pathway started in an atmosphere resembling a vintage alpine station, displaying historic Olympic moments from Mr. Li Ning's career. The environment shifted gradually from nostalgic textures and warm tones to a white, minimal landscape inspired by snow fields and ski jumps. The main show space appeared as a winter sports arena, with patterns and spatial dynamics reflecting race courses and athletic performance.
The show opened with a moment honoring sport. Li-Ning Glory looks appeared first, followed by LNCN pieces. As the final outfits appeared, light snow began falling, increasing in intensity. Mr. Li Ning, Jackie Chan, and Ma Long joined the models on the runway for the finale.
Mr. Li Ning, the brand's founder and former Olympic gymnast, spoke about the collection's meaning. He explained that sport transforms mindset through competition. The approach aims to activate the athlete within each person, encouraging pursuit of personal achievements with determination and sustained passion.
On presenting in Milan during an Olympic year, he noted the connection between the brand's sports heritage and a moment of global sporting relevance. The show served as both tribute to winter sports culture and affirmation of the brand's commitment to supporting athletes and contributing to sport's global future.
Li-Ning was established in 1990 by Olympic gymnast Li Ning. The brand initially aimed to provide Chinese athletes with a national label for the Olympic stage. In 2017, Li-Ning launched runway collections that appeared at New York, Paris, and Milan fashion weeks. The collections combine Western sportswear silhouettes with Chinese traditional details through advanced fabrics and construction techniques.
Staff
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