Nike: Fashion Design or Something Else?

Some have suggested that I am biased in my view of fashion design, and that I admitted that fact in an earlier posting. This was news to me, but I am still sorting through my thoughts about 'fashion design', which stand in contrast to what Nike has done with athletic shoes and apparel.



It seems to me that Nike's focus on improving athletic performance through applying technological innovations (i.e. new materials, manufacturing techniques, product ideas and human factors) to its new products is actually more akin to my concept of design than stlying for styling sake. In other words, addressing problems is a core distinction I draw between Nike and my perception of the fashion industry in general. Hmm?