Airness is a footwear trademark founded in 1999 in Saint-Denis, France, by Malamine Koné. The logo includes the image of a black panther.[2]
History
Malamine Koné, a former boxer from the 1990s nicknamed 'the panther', founded the brand Airness in 1998. He was inspired by emerging brands in the rap scene, such as M.Dia, Bullrot, and Com8, and chose the panther as his emblem. He presented his brand to various distributors, and a first retail location in Aulnay-sous-Bois began selling his products.[3]
In 2003, Airness signed an agreement with Groupe Hamelin to distribute school products featuring the brand. In 2004, Airness became the kit supplier for Stade Rennais Football Club for the 2004–2005 season, in partnership with Uhlsport.[4]
In 2010, the Paris High Court ordered the company to pay €15,000 in damages to the brand Cikatrice for copyright infringement and unfair competition.[5]
Sponsorships
Teams and athletes using Airness equipment are:
Basketball
Previous club teams
- 🇫🇷 SLUC Nancy
Previous club teams
- 🇫🇷 SLUC Nancy
Football
National teams
- (since 2013)
- 🇲🇱 Mali
Previous national teams
- 🇧🇯 Benin (2008–2014)
- DR Congo (2006–2009)
- Congo (2006–2007)
- 🇬🇦 Gabon (2010)
Club teams
Previous club teams
- 🇧🇪 KRC Genk
- 🏴 Fulham
- 🇫🇷 Auxerre
- 🇫🇷 Lille
- 🇫🇷 Nantes
- 🇫🇷 Rennes
- 🇫🇷 Le Havre
National teams
- (since 2013)
- 🇲🇱 Mali
Previous national teams
- 🇧🇯 Benin (2008–2014)
- DR Congo (2006–2009)
- Congo (2006–2007)
- 🇬🇦 Gabon (2010)
Club teams
Previous club teams
- 🇧🇪 KRC Genk
- 🏴 Fulham
- 🇫🇷 Auxerre
- 🇫🇷 Lille
- 🇫🇷 Nantes
- 🇫🇷 Rennes
- 🇫🇷 Le Havre
Rugby Union
- 🇨🇦 Toronto Jazz
Tennis
Previous tennis players
- 🇷🇺 Nikolay Davydenko[6]
Previous tennis players
- 🇷🇺 Nikolay Davydenko[6]
External links
References
- The Ascent of Airness apparel, Bloomberg Businessweek, May, 2006^
- SOPHIE PÉTERS. Airness sort ses griffes face à Nike et Adidas Les Echos, 16 November 2005^
- Airness, la panthère noire / Légende / article issu du magazine / 21 mars 2020 / SOFOOT.com 2022-09-29, retrieved 2025-04-11^
- Airness équipera le Stade Rennais F.C. pour 5 années supplémentaires. www.staderennais.com, 2025-04-10, retrieved 2025-04-11^
- Par Le 15 juin 2010 à 07h00. Cikatrice fait condamner Airness leparisien.fr, 2010-06-15, retrieved 2025-04-11^
- Николай Давыденко: "Да, я хохол. Могу кричать, что я хохол" sports.ru, 17 October 2014, retrieved 23 November 2020^