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Tennis and fashion have a long association, and with court style dominating the streetwear scene, what better time to welcome another famous name to the fashion game? Today, the Arthur Ashe fashion brand is launched.
Named after the tennis legend, he not only became the first black man (and the first amateur) to win the US Open, but also won doubles titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the French Open. He has been an outspoken advocate for racial justice and for those suffering from HIV and AIDS. The brand is a partnership between Ashe’s widow, photographer Jane Moutsamy-Ashe, the Arthur Ashe Estate, Jack Carlson (founder of Rowing Blazers, which inspired Princess Diana’s iconic black sheepskin sweater) and Carl-Raphael Blanchard.
Drawing inspiration from Ashe himself—including the US Davis Cup team warm-up he wore to the 1975 Wimbledon awards ceremony—as well as his modern aesthetic, the first collection includes tennis polos, shorts, skirts, sweats, tees, and sweaters. , and accessories for men and women. The brand will have long-term philanthropic partnerships with the Arthur Ashe Legacy Fund at UCLA and Social Change Fund United.
“You have Fred Perry, a British tennis lifestyle brand named after Fred Perry. And Lacoste, a French brand inherited from René Lacoste. But there was no American equivalent. Who better to represent America than Arthur Ashe?” Carlson said in a release for the product’s productivity. “Arthur Ashe has long been a hero of mine. His icy good demeanor, his effortless style, his intellectual approach to sports, his will to win and his determination to stand up for social justice resonate deeply with me. The opportunity to create this brand has been a dream come true.”
Blanchard added: “I am very grateful to Jane for trusting us and all the organizations involved. This brand is dedicated to the memory of one of our black heroes and to celebrate his style and grace on and off the court. This is the first of something very special.”
The full line is currently available at arthurashe.com, as well as Rowing Blazers, and will be available at pop-up shops in New York City and on the grounds of the US Open near Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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