In this month’s episode of CNN Style, host Derek Blasberg explores how sport is leaving its mark on high fashion, contemporary art and athletic wear.
Blasberg meets 18-time grand slam winner and eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer at the Nike headquarters to hear about Federer’s collaboration with Nike to create his own line. Federer tells Blasberg, “The idea is basically to bring the tennis classics into street wear.”
Federer continues, “I change my outfit probably 10 to 12 times a year, so it’s a huge opportunity to actually showcase great tennis looks… Wimbledon’s a big platform just because of its history. The world is watching. Everybody expects everything to be in white, yet with subtle stories, you can really have a big impact and with some special pieces.”
Explaining the details in the collection, Federer shows Blasberg one jacket which features 50 dots on the back: “These 50 little dots actually make the story of the 50 aces I hit in my Wimbledon finals to break the all-time grand slam record back in 2009 when I beat (Andy) Roddick. There’s a little storytelling all around the collection.”
Few people know more about the art of design and athleticism than legendary designer, Tinker Hatfield – the man behind Nike’s most iconic shoes. When designing for Nike, Hatfield must ensure that the design performs well and scores highly aesthetically. Hatfield explains, “Our primary purpose is to solve problems for athletes and that is very scientific. So I think the fun part of my job and the other designers here at Nike is to combine those two very different things; the sports performance world and the fashion world. And I think, somehow or other, we’ve managed to blend the two artfully and purposefully.”
It’s not only athletes who are combining sport and fashion in their designs. Blasberg catches up with Kate Hudson as she launches her latest collection for her sportswear label, Fabletics.
The Golden Globe-winning actress began her label after finding a gap in the market. Hudson states, “We fulfilled that white space in athletic wear for women. Cute, stylish, more fashion focused, more versatile and affordable.”
CNN Style airs on July 29 at 10 a.m. Watch CNN International for replay schedule.