Imani-Lara Lansiquot Says “Being Predictable Is Boring”
We speak to the Olympic athlete about her new campaign for the KNWLS Nike collaboration.
If you were following any of this Spring/Summer 2026 season’s fashion week content, you’ll have seen the KNWLS Nike collab that hit the runway in Milan. Pointed toes, corset-style lace-ups and cinched waists completed the show-stopping partnership of the season.
We’ve been waiting with bated breath for the official release, but at long last, the time has finally come. Launching through a new campaign fronted by Olympic sprinter Imani-Lara Lansiquot, the new release also features model Soo Joo Park, contortionist-dancer Evgenia Nirka and artists Crystallmess and VTSS. The Team GB and Nike athlete has swapped the track for the runway in this glam campaign that is cementing Lansiquot as a major force both in the sports and fashion worlds.
At the age of 23, Lansiquot represented Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, winning bronze in the 4×100-meter relay, and in 2024, took home silver at the Paris Olympics. Hailing from Peckham, London, the champion is confident, hyper-focused and undoubtedly stylish. From winning medals to gracing magazine covers to sitting front row at fashion week, don’t underestimate Imani-Lara Lansiquot.
The 10-piece collection infuses athleticism with avant-garde sensuality to create an armor that celebrates women. The hero item is the Scythe corset, inspired by the Nike Flyknit sportsbra, and exudes athletic elegance. Of course, rounding out the collaboration is the new expression of the Air Max Muse, which blends ballet flats with vintage football sneakers and the KNWLS Fang Boots. Already a fashion week highlight, the kicks are undoubtedly the best part.
We sat down with Lansiquot to hear about the campaign, her personal style and being a powerful woman both on and off the track. Read on for the full interview.
Tell us a bit about the campaign for the new KNWLS Nike collaboration and how the partnership came about.
I am very honored to be a Nike Athlete and to be part of a brand that champions not only what I am able to do on the track as an athlete, but also what my passions are outside of that – fashion has always been one of those things.
Over the last few years, I’ve spent so much time educating myself more about the fashion space and figuring out what my personal style is, letting that feed into my own self-confidence. I’ve always been a big fan of KNWLS – they are the first designer that I wore for an editorial shoot back when I was 22 years old. I’ve got such amazing memories of wearing the clothes and I love the way that they make me feel, so a partnership like this makes complete sense to me. Charlotte [Knowles] and Alex [Arsenault] do an amazing job of designing clothes that feel like armor woven in with femininity, and Nike is the perfect brand to execute a collection like that with its technology and knowledge of its female audience. Choosing an athlete to showcase that is really special.
What’s your favorite piece from the collection and why?
I have lots of favorite pieces. The first one has to be the Joan cropped jacket. I love the way it made me feel and the way it hugged all in the right places – the silhouette is very powerful. It reminded me of standing on the start line – even though I’ve never raced in a jacket, it exuded that superhero look. My second favorite item is the Air Max Muse – they had an essence of being ballet flats with the lace-up detailing on it, but the trainer itself felt like something from a film in 100 years, so futuristic.
When you think about KNWLS and Nike, what comes to mind?
Thinking about KNWLS and Nike together, the first words that come to mind are cutting-edge, futuristic, ahead-of-the-game, and unpredictable – how I think we should all be! Being predictable is boring, and this collection is something not many people would expect, but I know everyone is going to feel amazing when they wear it.
What does a typical training day look like for you?
It depends on the time of year, whether I’m gearing towards a major championship or in the depths of winter training, but generally, I train around 9 times a week. It’s split between the track and the gym, but I also train at home. Before bed, I’m usually doing circuits or stretching, so it’s really never-ending – it’s not a normal 9-5 but a complete lifestyle. It encompasses everything that I am and everything that I do.
How would you describe your off-duty style?
My off-duty style is quite influenced by my job as an athlete. I like to feel strong and powerful in the silhouettes that I choose. Whether it’s a full-length gown or a cropped jacket with some straight-leg pants, I want it to celebrate my body and me as an athlete. I want the silhouette to have a polished and fierce feel to it.
How important are shoes in an outfit for you?
Shoes are really important – they set the tone for how I move through the day, both literally and stylistically. As an athlete, comfort and performance are always going to be a priority for me, but I also think that shoes serve as a foundation for self-expression. The right pair can pull together a whole outfit – whether I’m training, traveling or at fashion week, it’s the one piece that finishes it off.
What does the future look like for you with KNWLS Nike?
It feels exciting and the start of something special. The whole messaging around this collection showcases how important it is for women to be strong and edgy, but also not letting go of the functionality behind it, which is what being a sportswoman is about. For me, it’s important to continue to bridge the gap between sport and style, to keep pushing boundaries and being part of a movement that redefines exactly what being a sportswoman looks like. There is a lot of excitement for what’s next.
If you could only wear one shoe for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This will probably be quite surprising – for a training shoe, it would be the Pegasus 41 – I have always been such a fan of Pegasus trainers since I was a teenager – but away from training, my favorite everyday trainers to wear are the Nike Shox. They’re so comfortable and blend together the training to streetwear vibe seamlessly for me, balancing performance and attitude.
The collection is now available for purchase via KNWLS and select retailers.
