TennisIDENTITY

Chris Evert re-launches Ellesse in the US. First up, fashion for tennis.

Chris Evert is back with Ellesse, the Italian brand she wore through her 18 Grand Slam titles. This time she's a shareholder, brand ambassador and designer for “Chris Evert for Ellesse.”

You may recall the brand on Boris Becker, Guillermo Vilas, Pat Cash, Arantxa Sanchez, Hana Mandlikova, and Anna Kournikova as well as Evert. Ellesse left the US market a few years back but has been going strong overseas.

Tennis will be the first category to come back to the States, followed by styles for fitness, skiing, golf and equestrian. 

Look for luxury level tennis whites in time for the holiday season at warm-clime pro shops. Colors will follow in early 2012.  Tennis shoes will drop in late 2012 along with Ellesse stores, the first of which will be sited on NYC's upper east side. An online shop is planned as well.

Designs have not been announced yet although I'll bet we'll see a bit of retro given the current love for it in the fashion world. 

The new focus will be on technologically advanced fabrics both synthetic and natural – cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, silk and blends that include them. 

“Function, Feel, Hand and Comfort will be the hallmarks of our fabric choices,” says Technical Designer Sue Kagan. “Ellesse has always been famous for its fit and fit will be a major focus – and I believe a real advantage – for our brand.”

“Looking good puts your mind at ease and gives you confidence," said Evert. "That’s a major on-court advantage.” 

Looking forward to seeing what she serves up. 

 

Ellesse talks 2011 tennis fashion. Considers distribution in US again.

Ellesse, designer of Italian made sportswear, hasn't distributed tennis apparel in the US for a few years now. Times may be a changing as they are thinking of coming back for Spring/Summer 2011, not 100% yet but thinking about it. Those in Spain, Portugal, Italy or the UK, you are all set.

Ellesse is quality stuff. The company designs its lines by country so what you see on sponsored player Nadia Petrova, for example, may not be available where you are. Are Italian tennis buyers really that different from those in the UK?

Pictured here are a few pieces from Ellesse's 2011 Spring/Summer lines. For men the look here is part of the Italian Men's Tennis Range which includes the same shorts in a cobalt blue as well as a warm-up jacket and pant. For women, the dress is part of the Italian Women's Classic Tennis Range and includes a skort, top, jacket and warm-up pant. The alternative color is a base of the peachy red hue with yellow and white accents. Pretty.

In Spain and Portugal Ellesse will distribute a hot looking black and white collection. I like the pleated skirt with coordinating top and hope Petrova wears it. In England they are going with pink and blue for women. Men's UK is a collection of navy, summit blue and white as well as another in bright yellow, gray and black.

There must be method to this madness. Time will tell which collection is destined for the States.

Learn more at Ellesse or find a store with their Store Finder.