The 110-year-old Italian tennis brand Fila wants to continually find new fans and stretch the parameters of its product offerings. A new collaboration with American label Brooks Brothers does just that, bringing a range of lifestyle pieces to the Fila tennis collection, but also offering a singular design for Fila-sponsored players participating in this summer’s The Championships, Wimbledon, in London.
“The launch is perfectly timed to the growing trend of combining streetwear and classic sporty fashion,” says Tara Peyrache, senior vice president of marketing for Fila. “We are always looking to complement on-court attire with lifestyle apparel, so we tapped into our iconic tennis heritage and reimagined it with Brooks Brothers’ authentic American style. The sport itself exudes elegance, sophistication and a timeless sensibility, and this special collection is a reflection of those qualities.”
The new Fila x Brooks Brothers collection launches May 4 and includes a limited-edition collection of apparel, footwear and accessories, meant to “celebrate the elegance of the sport with an unexpected edge.” Expect to see a mix of streetwear staples and performance styles in the white, navy and red colors associated with each brand.
Peyrache says the companies have a long-standing relationship—they both sponsor the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Rhode Island—and blends their shared visions. “Our collaborations truly run the gamut,”. “It’s very important for us to collaborate with a range of diverse partners to showcase Fila’s rich history and expand our reach as we authentically connect with new audiences and communities.”
The men’s lineup features seersucker suit separate, graphic and solid polos, button-down oxford shirts, matching tracksuits, full-zip jackets, V-neck tennis sweaters, vests, French terry crewnecks and t-shirts with the dual-branded logo. Women’s styles include chunky cable knit tennis sweater dresses in red and navy and a heritage pleated dress. Accessories with the co-branded logo incorporate bags, headbands, belts and backpacks.
For performance, polos, crewnecks, shorts, pants, blazers and a collared sleeveless dress all give players options for the June 2021 Wimbledon. “The tournament is known for its rich history and tradition,” Peyrache says. “We are excited to have Fila’s top sponsored players wear this collaborative collection, which brings something fresh and new to the tournament’s all-white wardrobe.”
The Fila x Brooks Brothers collaboration includes two footwear styles, a Trigate and an Original Tennis LX. Both includes the same detailing found on the apparel collection and come packaged in custom shoebox designs.
Peyrache says tennis has long influenced style beyond the court and since tennis has been a core part of the brand, Fila wants to continue to offer novel approaches both on and off the court. With recent collaborations with Italian fragrance brand Acqua di Parma, Coca-Cola and New York-based streetwear label Krost, working with Brooks Brothers offers just another step in Fila’s desire to connect with new customers while offering a fresh perspective to the brand’s tennis history.
