- Words Nicholas Douglas
The Italian sportswear giants tap into their courtwear history, reinterpreting the intersection between performance and fashion.
Whether it’s conventional games like tennis and badminton or contemporary crazes like padel and pickle, the astronomical rise of racket sports post-lockdown is clear for everyone to see. ellesse, the Italian heritage brand known for its colourful pieces and relaxed tailoring, has kicked off 2024 with a new, aspirational collection for the next generation of racket-mad sports fans.
Racket Club spotlights the intersection between performance and fashion. Serving up a range of court-inspired pieces, the collection stands as an elevated interpretation of their sporting heritage. Relaxed and oversized polos, sports jackets and tracksuits feature in the men’s offering while women’s styles include tennis dresses and cute jackets.
Prioritising form, flow and elegance, Racket Club puts ellesse at the cultural heart of racket sports. Established in 1959, the brand first appeared on tennis courts in the 1970s, bringing a chic style to the game and eventually adorning the bodies of Wimbledon winners like Chris Evert.
ellesse’s winning streak doesn’t stop there, either. In 1982, they provided the kits for Italy’s World Cup-winning side, which included greats like Paulo Rossie and Claudio Gentile. For decades they’ve blurred the lines between fashion and sport, tailoring tastes of the time for the pitch and pitch side; ellesse always finds itself on the winning team.
Like with all sportswear, you don’t need a racket, ball or bat to be a member of the club. Throwing over an ellesse jacket and zipping up their vibrant pieces automatically makes you a member too.
ellesse’s SS24 new collection is coming soon to ellesse.com.