The New Arthur Ashe Fashion Brand Celebrates the Tennis Icon's Legacy

Tennis and fashion have long-held ties, and with courtside style taking over the streetwear scene, what better time to welcome another iconic name to the fashion game? Today marks the launch of the Arthur Ashe fashion brand.

Named for the tennis legend who not only became the first Black man (and the first amateur) ever to win the US Open, as well as taking home titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and a doubles championship at the French Open, but also served as a outspoken activist for racial justice and for those suffering from HIV and AIDS. The brand is a partnership between Ashe's widow, photographer Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, the Arthur Ashe estate, Jack Carlson (founder of Rowing Blazers, which revived Princess Diana's iconic black sheep sweater) and Karl-Raphael Blanchard.

Drawing inspiration from Ashe himself—including the U.S. Davis Cup team warm-up suit he wore during the 1975 Wimbledon award ceremony—as well as modern takes on his aesthetic, the first collection includes tennis polos, shorts, skirts, sweats, tees, knitwear, and accessories for men and women. The brand will also 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 dedicated to the legacy of René Lacoste. But there hasn’t been an American equivalent. Who better to represent the United States than Arthur Ashe?" Carlson said in a release for the brand's launch. "Arthur Ashe has been a hero of mine for a long time. His icy cool demeanor, effortless style, scholarly approach to sport, his will to win and determination to stand up for social justice all resonate with me deeply. The opportunity to work to create this brand has been a dream come true.”

Blanchard added, "I’m so grateful to Jeanne for trusting in us, and to all the organizations involved. This brand is here to commemorate one of our Black heroes who encapsulated style and grace on and off the court. This is the beginning of something very special."

The full line is currently available on 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 U.S. Open, near Arthur Ashe Stadium.