• BTS members V, Jimin, Suga, J-Hope, Jungkook, Jin and RM sporting looks from their latest Fila collection, Project 7: Back to Nature. Fila
    BTS members V, Jimin, Suga, J-Hope, Jungkook, Jin and RM sporting looks from their latest Fila collection, Project 7: Back to Nature. Fila
  • Suga in a look from BTS's latest Fila collection. Fila
    Suga in a look from BTS's latest Fila collection. Fila
  • BTS member Jungkook modelling the band's eco-friendly line. Fila
    BTS member Jungkook modelling the band's eco-friendly line. Fila
  • BTS member Jin in a look from Project 7: Back to Nature. The collection is now available online and in stores. Fila
    BTS member Jin in a look from Project 7: Back to Nature. The collection is now available online and in stores. Fila
  • RM in a look from the collection. Fila
    RM in a look from the collection. Fila
  • V modelling a look from BTS's latest Fila collection. Fila
    V modelling a look from BTS's latest Fila collection. Fila
  • J-Hope models a look from Project 7: Back to Nature. Fila
    J-Hope models a look from Project 7: Back to Nature. Fila
  • BTS's latest collection with Fila is centred around comfort and practicality. Fila
    BTS's latest collection with Fila is centred around comfort and practicality. Fila
  • The latest BTS collection features artsy graphics and cool tones such as green and violet. Fila
    The latest BTS collection features artsy graphics and cool tones such as green and violet. Fila
  • Project 7: Back to Nature is entirely made from recycled materials. Fila
    Project 7: Back to Nature is entirely made from recycled materials. Fila
  • BTS's latest Fila collection features T-shirts, shoes, hats and other accessories. Fila
    BTS's latest Fila collection features T-shirts, shoes, hats and other accessories. Fila

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.

  • Members of K-pop boy band BTS promote their new single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Members of K-pop boy band BTS promote their new single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • Jin, member of Korean boy band BTS, at the launch of their new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, on May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Jin, member of Korean boy band BTS, at the launch of their new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, on May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • Jung Kook, member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Jung Kook, member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • From left, V, Suga, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope at the launch of BTS new single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    From left, V, Suga, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope at the launch of BTS new single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • Jimin, member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of their new single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Jimin, member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of their new single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • RM, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    RM, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • Jin, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Jin, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • J-Hope, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    J-Hope, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • Jung Kook, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Jung Kook, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • Jimin, a member of K-pop band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Jimin, a member of K-pop band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • Suga, member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of their new digital single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    Suga, member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of their new digital single 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
  • V, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters
    V, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, at the launch of new digital single album 'Butter' in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. Reuters

"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.

  • 'The band has great memories with McDonald’s,' said BTS' label, Big Hit Entertainment. 'We’re excited about this collaboration and can’t wait to share the BTS Meal with the world.' Courtesy McDonald's
    'The band has great memories with McDonald’s,' said BTS' label, Big Hit Entertainment. 'We’re excited about this collaboration and can’t wait to share the BTS Meal with the world.' Courtesy McDonald's
  • To celebrate the launch of BTS' McDonald's menu items, the band are dropping a line of merchandise with the fast-food restaurant. Courtesy McDonald's
    To celebrate the launch of BTS' McDonald's menu items, the band are dropping a line of merchandise with the fast-food restaurant. Courtesy McDonald's
  • A purple bathrobe in the BTS x McDonald's collection. Courtesy McDonald's
    A purple bathrobe in the BTS x McDonald's collection. Courtesy McDonald's
  • A low-key black hoodie, with a purse in the shape of McDonald's fries. Courtesy McDonald's
    A low-key black hoodie, with a purse in the shape of McDonald's fries. Courtesy McDonald's
  • The sweet chilli and Cajun dipping sauces on the BTS Menu are inspired by popular recipes from McDonald's South Korea, and are reflected in the merchandise. Courtesy McDonald's
    The sweet chilli and Cajun dipping sauces on the BTS Menu are inspired by popular recipes from McDonald's South Korea, and are reflected in the merchandise. Courtesy McDonald's
  • Each of BTS' seven members is represented in the pieces. Courtesy McDonald's
    Each of BTS' seven members is represented in the pieces. Courtesy McDonald's
  • The BTS Menu includes a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets meal, with medium World Famous Fries, a medium Coke, and sweet chilli and Cajun dipping sauces. Courtesy McDonald's
    The BTS Menu includes a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets meal, with medium World Famous Fries, a medium Coke, and sweet chilli and Cajun dipping sauces. Courtesy McDonald's
  • A purple bathrobe in the BTS x McDonald's collection. Courtesy McDonald's
    A purple bathrobe in the BTS x McDonald's collection. Courtesy McDonald's
  • A record-style bag, in McDonald's colours. Courtesy McDonald's
    A record-style bag, in McDonald's colours. Courtesy McDonald's
  • An umbrella is also included in the line. Courtesy McDonald's
    An umbrella is also included in the line. Courtesy McDonald's
  • Represent with a hoodie and socks. Courtesy McDonald's
    Represent with a hoodie and socks. Courtesy McDonald's

Women & Power: A Manifesto

Mary Beard

Profile Books and London Review of Books 

How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
 

11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi

Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)

Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)

Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)

Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).

Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)

Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)

Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)

Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)

Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia

Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)

Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)

The specs

Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder

Transmission: 7-speed auto

0-100kmh 2.3 seconds

0-200kmh 5.5 seconds

0-300kmh 11.6 seconds

Power: 1500hp

Torque: 1600Nm

Price: Dh13,400,000

On sale: now