In a sea of streetwear collabs and drop culture moments, one collection is standing apart—not just for its style, but for its soul.
The recently launched UNRL x Volition America collaboration is more than a line of athleticwear. It’s a mission stitched into every seam, a rallying cry for unity, and a sartorial salute to the sacrifices that define American freedom.
At the heart of the partnership? A shared ethos. “I’ve always admired UNRL’s commitment to quality and their community first mindset,” said Volition America’s founder, John Sapiente. “When I met their team, it was clear we shared more than a passion for Folds of Honor—we also shared a belief that business can be a force for good. This collaboration came together organically, fueled by a mutual desire to do something meaningful.”
What that “something meaningful” looks like is a sleek, elevated collection of modern performance gear infused with intention. Yes, the fabric breathes and the silhouettes move, but each piece also carries “subtle, powerful symbols of American values.” As they put it, “This collection reflects that every stitch tells a story of unity, pride, and honoring sacrifice. It’s athleticwear with soul.”
But don’t confuse patriotism with performative flag-waving. “The biggest challenge was subtlety,” they explained. “We didn’t want to go over-the-top with stars and stripes—we wanted to create something stylish that still carried deep meaning. It took a lot of intention and restraint to make something that speaks loudly without yelling.”
The understated aesthetic is by design—meant to evoke conversation, not command attention. “The designs aren’t just aesthetic choices, they’re intentional messages,” they said. “The mission is to remind people that freedom isn’t free. Every piece in this collection is meant to spark conversation, create awareness, and ultimately raise funds for Folds of Honor. It’s fashion as a vessel for patriotism, purpose, and gratitude.”
That deep connection to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen and disabled military members, is the heartbeat of this collaboration. “It’s everything,” they emphasized. “I’ve had the privilege of meeting families who’ve lost a parent in service and what Folds of Honor provides isn’t just a scholarship, it’s hope. It’s a chance to move forward.”
The initiative also dovetails seamlessly with UNRL’s ongoing Leave a Legacy campaign. “Leave a Legacy is about making your mark beyond the scoreboard. That aligns perfectly with what we’re doing. We are creating a movement that stands for something bigger. We’re not chasing trends; we’re honoring heroes, telling meaningful stories, and leaving a legacy of service, respect, and gratitude.”
And that legacy, quite literally, can be worn. “We have a saying at Volition America—‘a Uniform for Life,’” they shared. “We want to give someone the ability to go in their closet and put something on that allows them to say this is what I stand for. I hope they feel like they’re wearing something that matters, not just to them, but to the families this collection supports.”
Ultimately, this collection isn’t about merch—it’s about meaning. “Fashion is culture,” they said. “It’s one of the most visible and immediate ways people express what they stand for. When apparel carries a cause, it becomes more than clothing, it becomes a statement. It brings people together around shared values and invites others to ask, ‘What’s that about?’”
And while this is the first UNRL x Volition America drop, it’s far from the last. “This is just the beginning,” they hinted. “I believe UNRL sees what we see: that purpose and performance can go hand in hand. I hope this opens the door to even more collaborations that fuse mission and movement. Apparel that doesn’t just perform on the field, but off the field too—in real life, where it really counts.”
Fashion with function is great. Fashion with meaning? That’s legacy.
