As a lifelong tennis enthusiast and fashion aficionado who’s spent countless hours glued to my TV during Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open, I must say that Afterpay’s Arthur Ashe collaboration event was a true grand slam! The energy at 41 Division St. was electric, and it felt like I had stepped right onto the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
As the annual major tennis tournament in New York City reached its peak, fashion retailer Afterpay unveiled a special edition collaboration through their Dropshop program, honoring the legendary and stylish tennis player, the late Arthur Ashe. This collection was first presented at 41 Division St., on September 5, during an exclusive event that welcomed the city’s tennis enthusiasts for an in-person viewing of the pieces in a creatively redesigned venue. A DJ set by Stonie Blue and a tennis ball wall for photo shoots added to the atmosphere, while walkthrough displays showcased the Arthur Ashe x Afterpay collection. The event attracted a fashionable crowd eager to celebrate this unique collaboration.
Through Afterpay’s Dropshop, drop culture becomes more accessible to a vast number of consumers, as they can quickly get their hands on rising brands, freelance designers, and sought-after items during significant periods throughout the year. This setup gives shoppers the convenience of paying in installments. The Arthur Ashe label, famous for its vibrant, colorful replications of tennis styles worn by the legendary tennis player himself, collaborated with Afterpay to develop a unique collection that celebrates the city’s passion for tennis. The collection features clothing items and portable accessories tailored for tennis enthusiasts and can be exclusively purchased on the Afterpay app through the HBX website.
At Afterpay’s Bondi Mint tennis court, which was sun-kissed like the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Stonie Blue ignited excitement among the crowd as guests socialized. Fashion enthusiasts and social media influencers flocked to the specially designed tennis ball wall for picture opportunities, showcasing their stylish ensembles while sipping on bubbly drinks.
It could be the svelte, slim-fitting attire or simply a new wave of sports enthusiasts claiming space in environments that were, once in time, stuffy, inaccessible and, for many, intimidating, but tennis is making a comeback. The sport’s relationship with fashion continues to evolve as younger players enter the fore. Cue tenniscore: the sporty aesthetic that aims to cut the affluent air of sporting attire with clean-cut, minimalist street styles. During the event, notable fashion savants subverted traditional tennis ensembles with creative flair, dressed to the nines in designer labels. For the fashion girlies, parachute mini skirts, slinky midis and sporty bodycon dresses replaced familiar skorts and athleisure dresses, and, for the fellas, dapper shirt and pant ensembles inspired by Arthur Ashe’s distinctive design identity brought a classic yet youthful touch to the event. Others opted for edgy street styles intermixed with modern sportswear pieces, nodding to the collection’s versatile appeal.
A proper send-off to summer, Afterpay’s event celebrated the Big Apple’s growing tennis community and the legacy of Arthur Ashe, a fashion icon, a champion of civil rights and a paragon of sportsmanship on and off the court.
1) Check out the top moments from the event in the galleries up above.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-11 20:26