With deep roots in the DMV area, co-founders of The Museum DC, LeGreg Harris, and Muhammad Hill, have taken their brand from a local favorite to a broader platform, consistently representing their community's voice in the fashion world. Their latest collaboration with Under Armour, titled Give ‘Em Their Flowers, is more than just a sneaker collection—a tribute to the DMV area’s rich cultural and floral heritage. Sole Retriever was fortunate enough to speak with the team at The Museum DC to get insight into the design process and inspiration for their latest Under Armour project.
A Journey Rooted in Community
The Museum DC’s journey is grounded in a bond that predates the brand. Harris and Hill’s relationship began as basketball rivals evolved into a family-like connection, eventually leading to their partnership in various creative ventures. From running a music label to managing nightlife promotions and spirits marketing, the duo has consistently focused on building something meaningful. This commitment to community and creativity laid the foundation for what The Museum would become.
When it came time to establish a streetwear brand, their vision was clear: fashion is art, and the DMV is their muse. The brand’s name, "The Museum," reflects this ethos, with the word “muse” capturing the essence of inspiration that drives their designs. Even the brand’s logo incorporates colors inspired by the original metro lines of the DMV, demonstrating how closely tied their identity is to the community.
Evolving Partnership with Under Armour
This collaboration with Under Armour isn’t the first time The Museum DC has teamed up with the performance-focused brand. The team at The Museum stated, “Under Armour initially took a chance on us years ago when we first worked with them as consultants. That experience provided us with valuable insights into the inner workings of a footwear company and kicked off a very strong working relationship.” Their successful debut collaboration on the UA x Museum Forge 96s laid the groundwork for future projects, solidifying a relationship based on mutual respect and creative freedom. As the team noted, "Under Armour was a brand that was going to let us push the limits in terms of design and combining our ideas with the quality of their products."
The Give ‘Em Their Flowers Collection takes this partnership to a new level, focusing on the floral heritage of the DMV area. The brand shared with us, “With the UA x Museum Apparition, it was all about playing into our artistic side and appreciating the beauty that is found throughout our home, the D.C. area. This campaign is more than just a celebration of local flora; it is a heartfelt tribute to the community that has consistently supported The Museum DC brand.”
The Floral Heritage Behind the Design
The collection’s three colorways tell a story rooted in the DMV area’s unique floral identity. The first sneaker is inspired by the Okame Cherry Tree, known for its early-blooming pink blossoms that symbolize hope and new beginnings. The soft pink palette and floral detailing capture the delicate beauty of this tree while paying homage to the symbolism of growth and renewal.
The second colorway draws from the world-famous Cherry Blossoms Festival, a celebrated tradition in Washington, D.C. The design embodies the festive atmosphere of this event, with shades of pink and white that reflect the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom. The team shared, "This colorway represents friendship, family, and the core values that embody community collaboration."
The final colorway is inspired by the United States Botanic Garden, a space that holds a special place in the hearts of many D.C. residents. With lush greens and vibrant floral motifs, this sneaker reflects the garden’s rich diversity and serene beauty, symbolizing growth, harmony, and the appreciation of nature.
Speaking on what made the team look to the floral heritage of the DMC for this collaboration, they stated,
“As kids, we always visited the Botanical Garden on field trips in school so being able to give an ode to that is very specific to growing up in our area. The symbolism of The Cherry Blossom festival and what it means on a national level is a well known thing locally but also telling the story of how the cherry blossom was a gift to DC from Japan representing friendship and family. We took that symbolism to honor William Carter who is no longer with us that was very intricate to our team. That floral symbolism of Friends and Family has a deep meaning with us as a unit. Then with the last pair representing something educational such as the Okame Cherry Tree which we have seen but may not have understood the symbolism of hope and new beginning.”
A Tribute to the DMV
The Give ‘Em Their Flowers campaign is a love letter to the DMV area. Through this collection, The Museum DC aims to make the community feel seen, heard, and appreciated. Every detail in the collection, from the colors to the symbolic floral elements, is designed to resonate with the people of D.C.
The brand stated, “We want to give our area its flowers for being fashion forward and innovators. We as a community don’t get enough credit for being iconic in the fashion and style perspective but if you do the research a lot of the most famous or popular trends started in DC (DMV), so to that, we are giving our community its flowers for that. We just hope our community takes a sense of pride in this collection and feels seen and heard in the space we operate in.”
Looking Ahead
As The Museum DC continues to grow, creatively and business-wise, the brand remains focused on staying connected to its roots. With upcoming projects that further celebrate D.C.’s roots, including a potential collab with the area’s NFL franchise, the Washington Commanders, things are looking bright for the brand. Giving their final thoughts, the team told us, “We’ve had great success partnering with Under Armour and are excited to keep building off of that momentum with future collaborations. We’ve definitely got more ideas in store and love working with a brand that is just as rooted in community as we are.”
Be on the lookout this Sunday, August 25, for The Museum DC’s Under Armour Apparition collection, which will launch online and in-store at The Museum DC. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app for more updates on the latest happenings in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Under Armour, The Museum DC, & Sharafa Aremu
The Museum DC x Under Armour Apparition Okame Cherry Tree
The Museum DC x Under Armour Apparition Cherry Blossoms Festival
The Museum DC x Under Armour Apparition Botanical Gardens
In this article
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
