The love affair between tennis and fashion is still burning bright. The two worlds continue to influence each other in the most exciting way, and we’re here for all of it—both on and off court. At Doubletake, we couldn’t be more excited about this win-win situation. We’re launching a new line of bags that are sporty and stylish and ready to go anywhere, from court to coffee, work to play, or out for a fabulous evening. More on our Off Court Collection later, but first, let’s look at some newsworthy and viral moments involving tennis and fashion. One thing’s for sure, many of these moments are happening nowhere near a tennis court.
Vogue magazine and HEAD have joined forces, launching a super cute capsule collection of tennis apparel and accessories. We especially love the orange crop top. And if Vogue says the clothes take you from ‘the court to the city’—we believe them. Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is a big tennis fan, as we know, and she’s been spotted at top tennis tournaments all year long. What’s become even more notable is when tennis stars are spotted at major fashion events.
British tennis sensation Jack Draper attended the Burberry fashion show in London, sitting in the front row as part of Wintour’s entourage. It was only fair, after all. He had invited her to watch the US Open in his courtside player’s box this year. Another fashion/tennis stunner—Chinese tennis sensation Qinwen Zheng recently attended the Balenciaga Couture show in Paris. The Olympic Gold medalist, looking iconic in a black Balenciaga suit, was seen chatting with movie stars and top fashionistas. Zheng was also featured on the cover of Vogue China. She wears both ball gowns and Nike tennis gear on the pages within—looking amazing in both, of course.
US Open champ Jannik Sinner was seen in the front row at the Gucci show. Also in Milan, we saw tennis players Taylor Fritz and Matteo Berrettini, with a tennis racquet, walk the runway at Hugo Boss. (Both men are Hugo Boss brand ambassadors.) Fritz, looking very stylish, opened the show. He was asked by Town and Country magazine to explain the recent team-up of fashion and tennis. “Tennis fashion has become a big thing… It works because it's stuff that you can wear to play tennis and stuff that you can wear when you're not playing tennis, so it just works for everything,” he said, eloquently. (We’re just teasing you, Taylor.) He happens to be absolutely right!
Aryna Sabalenka, newly crowned US Open champion, is cashing in on one of the most bankable tennis/fashion partnerships—champions and luxury watches. She is a brand ambassador for Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet. The tennis star was hired to help the company connect with ‘a new generation of sports fans worldwide,’ and she’s off to a good start. Sabalenka was wearing her Audemars Piguet chronograph, valued at over $100,000, when she hoisted the US Open trophy. The gorgeous, blinged-out watch, with its rose gold band and large face surrounded by pink, blue, orange, yellow and green gemstones, almost outshined the Tiffany & Co. cup! The striking, colorful design is beautiful and feminine, while at the same time, suggests power and strength.
Turns out, this aesthetic works as a perfect symbol for the current game of women’s tennis. Yes, you can wear a bright pink dress while you’re blasting forehands as fast as the men on tour. (Sabalenka does just that.) You can wear ruffles and bows while hitting a 125 mph serve. (Looking at you, Naomi Osaka.) Players can dress up, go out and celebrate, and always work hard when they’re back on court. Looking great, having fun and taking the game seriously are not mutually exclusive. Tennis is steeped in tradition, but it’s also more exciting and explosive than ever. Quiet luxury is fine. It’s also OK when it makes a bit more noise.
At Doubletake, we believe passionately in blending serious sport with personal style. Tennis is who we are, and we make bags and accessories for people who feel that way, too. Athletes who want to be prepared to play their best, and to look stylish all the time. We’d happily carry our tennis and pickleball bags just about anywhere, but sometimes you’ve got to up your game. That’s where Doubletake’s new Off Court Collection comes in.
These cross bodies, totes, coin purses and accessory bags are inspired by our love of racquet sports, but they transcend the court. Made from soft, pliable Napa Valley leather, the handbags, in shades of navy, silver, gold, blush pink, fuchsia, and graphite, many accented with athletic stripes, are perfect for day and night. The colors build on those from Doubletake’s core collection, taking them a bit further, with a luxurious, eye-catching finish. The bags fit a sport-centric, active lifestyle, but they work even when you’re not dressed in athletic wear. But as we all learned from The Devil Wears Prada, a bag’s functionality is only part of the story, it’s “also a piece of iconography used to express individual identity.” And, most importantly, it matters “if it’s pretty!” We agree, and these new bags are all that and more.
