BTS and Fila's new collaboration, Project 7: Back to Nature, launches in the Middle East


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From cars to smartphones and even massage chairs, record-breaking South Korean group BTS’s global influence continues to expand outside the sphere of music, with new brand endorsements announced regularly.

Earlier this month, their collaboration with McDonald's for a signature edition meal launched in 50 countries around the world, including the UAE. The BTS Meal, which includes 10 chicken nuggets, medium World Famous Fries, medium Coke and sweet chilli and Cajun dipping sauces, is inspired by the band's go-to order at the fast-food chain.

Last year, ahead of the release of their Grammy nominated record-breaking English track Dynamite, BTS announced a collaboration with sportswear brand Fila. The Voyager Collection, comprising hats, T-shirts, hoodies, bags and sneakers, sold out in 24 hours in the US.

Scroll through the gallery above for all the looks from the latest Fila collaboration.

Now, the seven-piece band are back with another Fila collection, this time with an eco-friendly theme.

Called Project 7: Back to Nature, the street-style-inspired collection, which comes after their second English song Butter was released last month, is now available online and at Fila stores across the Middle East.

Featuring T-shirts, shoes, hats and other accessories, complete with artsy graphics and cool earth tones, the collection is entirely made from recycled materials.

Project 7: Back to Nature is centered around comfort and practicality, Fila said, and encourages us to think about the environment.

The collection launch is accompanied by a promotional video featuring all the band's members – RM, Jungkook, V, J-Hope, Jimin, Suga and Jin.

The Fila collaboration isn't the only fashion endorsement for the boys, however. In April they were named ambassadors for Louis Vuitton.

“Joining as new house ambassadors, the world-renowned pop icons are recognised for their uplifting messages that impart a positive influence," the storied French label posted on Instagram.

Under the partnership, BTS are expected to don pieces from Louis Vuitton for their coming appearances and performances, as well as join forces on yet-to-be-revealed special projects.

"I am looking forward to this wonderful partnership which adds a modern chapter to the house, merging luxury and contemporary culture," Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director who is also the founder of label Off-White, said then. "I can't wait to share all the very exciting projects we are working on."

The K-pop stars have previously also fronted campaigns for Skechers, as well as partnered with Dior for tour outfits.

To mark the launch of the McDonald's BTS Meal, the boy band also released a line of branded clothing and accessories inspired by the menu items. The collection features hoodies, purple bathrobes, socks and sandals.

Some of the items are emblazoned with the McDonald’s fries box logo with seven fries for each BTS member, and others come in BTS purple, with McDonald’s red and gold detailing.

And if there were still doubts about the band's popularity, on Wednesday, more than a dozen Indonesian McDonald's outlets were temporarily shuttered over coronavirus fears after the BTS Meal sparked frenzied buying from fans in the K-pop-mad country.

Images showed outlets in Jakarta, where lockdown rules are still in place, deluged with online food-delivery drivers picking up the meal.

BTS's Dynamite video, which premiered on YouTube on August 21, has racked up more than a billion views, while their latest Butter, released on May 21, has 329 million views so far in two weeks.

Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

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Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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