ellesse: Retro Streetwear’s Forgotten Brand

Last Updated on 25th January 2024

Who Founded Ellesse

Leonardo Servadio, an Italian tailor, founded ellesse in 1959. He was born in Perugia, Italy and started his career as a tailor at the age of fourteen. After working for several years in the fashion industry, he decided to create his own sportswear brand that would combine style and functionality.

Servadio named the brand ellesse after his initials “L.S.”, which are pronounced phonetically in Italian as “elle-esse”. Servadio himself also designs the logo of ellesse. It consists of two semi-circles representing tennis balls and a knot symbolising the net.

At first, ellesse produced skiwear but later expanded into other sports such as tennis, football and basketball. The brand became popular among athletes due to its high-quality fabrics and innovative designs. Today, Ellesse is known worldwide for its stylish sportswear that combines retro flair with modern trends.

ellesse track jacket 1

 

Who Designed The Iconic Logo

The iconic logo of ellesse was designed by Leonardo Servadio, the brand’s founder. The design features a semi-pictorial representation of half tennis balls with two ski tips crossed over them, symbolising the company’s commitment to both sports. The logo has become synonymous with the brand and is instantly recognisable worldwide.

Servadio created the logo as part of his vision for ellesse to be a fusion between sportswear and fashion. He wanted a logo reflecting this blend while being simple enough to be easily identifiable. Servadio’s inspiration came from his love for skiing and tennis, both popular sports at the time.

Over time, the ellesse logo has undergone minor modifications but has remained true to its original design concept. Today it is one of the most recognisable logos in sportswear history and continues to represent excellence in style and performance. The simplicity yet boldness of its design ensures that it will remain an iconic symbol for years to come.

What Was ellesse First Product

Ellesse was founded by Leonardo Servadio, an Italian tailor passionate about skiing. The brand’s first product was a ski pant that featured stretchy fabric and a padded waistband for comfort. This innovative design quickly gained popularity among skiers and helped to establish Ellesse as a high-quality sportswear brand.

The success of the ski pant led ellesse to expand its product line into other sports, including tennis. In fact, the brand became synonymous with tennis during the 1970s and 1980s thanks to its sponsorship of some of the world’s top players like Boris Becker and Chris Evert. ellesse’s tennis apparel was known for its bold colours, retro styling, and high-performance fabrics.

Despite branching out into other sports over the years, ellesse has always remembered its roots in skiing. Today, you can still find skiwear from the brand that features modern materials like Gore-Tex and Thinsulate insulation while staying true to Servadio’s original vision of creating comfortable yet stylish clothing for athletes.

Man wearing an Ellesse track jacket
From t shirts to track jackets The ellesse brand continues to grow

When Did It Become A Tennis Brand

The brand started as a skiwear manufacturer and quickly gained popularity among the skiing community. However, it was in the 1970s that ellesse became associated with tennis.

In 1975, ellesse sponsored the Davis Cup, one of men’s tennis’s most prestigious team competitions. This sponsorship marked the beginning of ellesse’s relationship with tennis and paved the way for future collaborations with some of the biggest names in the sport.

One of those collaborations was with Chris Evert, who was one of the top female players during her career. In 1979, Evert signed a five-year deal to wear ellesse’s clothing on the court. Her endorsement helped solidify ellesse’s position as a leading tennis brand and led to other high-profile partnerships.

Famous Endorsements For ellesse

Ellesse has been endorsed by several famous athletes over the years, making it a popular brand in the sports industry. One of its most notable endorsements was by tennis legend Chris Evert in the 1970s. Evert wore ellesse clothing during her matches and helped to establish the brand as a leading tennis apparel company.

Another famous athlete who endorsed ellesse was Boris Becker, who won his first Wimbledon title wearing Ellesse clothing in 1985. Becker continued to wear ellesse throughout his career and even had a signature line with the brand. His endorsement helped to solidify ellesse’s reputation as one of the top tennis brands in the world.

More recently, British boxer Anthony Joshua became an ambassador for ellesse in 2018. Joshua is known for his stylish fashion sense inside and outside of the ring, making him a perfect fit for representing ellesse’s clothing line’s sleek and trendy designs. With these high-profile endorsements under its belt, it’s no wonder that ellesse remains a beloved brand among athletes and fashion enthusiasts alike.

How Much Do ellesse Sell

Ellesse is a popular brand that offers a wide range of streetwear and sports clothing and accessories. The price range for ellesse products varies depending on the type of item you are looking to purchase. For instance, their t-shirts can cost anywhere from £30 to £60, while their jackets can be priced between £80 and £200.

The prices for ellesse products also depend on where you shop. If you buy directly from the company’s website or flagship stores, you may end up paying more than if you were to purchase from a third-party retailer. However, keep in mind that buying directly from the source guarantees authenticity and quality.

Despite varying prices, many people are willing to pay top dollar for ellesse clothing due to its reputation as a high-quality brand with stylish designs. Additionally, some limited edition items or collaborations with other brands may come at an even higher cost due to their exclusivity and rarity.

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Is ellesse a good brand?

Yes, any perceived dwindling popularity is no reflection of the retro brands quality of designs of materials used. All Italian brands are well known for the strength of manufacturing, and ellesse has never been any different. Nike and Adidas may have cornered the sportswear endorsements to dominate the market, but ellesse deserve their place too.

The Most Popular ellesse Item Of Clothing

Ellesse is a brand that has been around for over half a century. Over the years, it has produced some of the most popular clothing items in sports and fashion. However, one item stands out as the most popular ellesse product – their track jackets.

The ellesse track jacket first gained popularity in the 1980s when it was worn by tennis players such as Boris Becker and Chris Evert. The iconic design featured contrasting stripes on the sleeves and bold branding on the chest. It quickly became a staple item for athletes and fans alike.

Today, ellesse’s track jackets are still highly sought after. They have evolved to include new materials and designs while still retaining their classic look. From retro-inspired pieces to modern takes on the original design, there is an ellesse track jacket for everyone.

As we move into a new era of sportswear fashion, it’s clear that ellesse’s track jackets will continue to be a fan favourite. With their timeless style and high-quality construction, they will remain at the forefront of athletic apparel for years to come.

Ellesse One of the worlds most recognisable logos
One of the worlds most recognisable logos

The Future Of ellesse

Ellesse has been making a comeback in recent years, with the brand focusing on its heritage and retro designs. The future of ellesse seems to be bright as it continues to appeal to younger generations and those who remember the brand from their youth.

One way that ellesse is staying relevant is by collaborating with other brands and designers. For example, they have partnered with streetwear label Hypebeast for a collection that combines classic ellesse styles with modern trends. This strategy helps keep the brand fresh while still honouring its history.

Another aspect of the future of ellesse is sustainability. As consumers become more conscious about their environmental impact, many brands are taking steps towards creating eco-friendly products. Ellesse has already made strides in this area by using recycled materials in some clothing items, such as jackets made from recycled plastic bottles.

Ellesse will likely continue to balance its vintage roots with modern trends and sustainability efforts as it moves forward. With collaborations and innovative materials, there’s no telling what exciting new products we can expect from this iconic sportswear brand in the coming years.