After teaming up with FILA this past winter, Rowing Blazers has announced a new collaboration with another heritage sportswear brand. Together with K-Swiss, the NY-based label is dropping a colorful tennis-themed apparel capsule and a special edition of the K-Swiss Si-18 sneaker.
The unisex collection comes dressed in ’90s graphics and colors and draws inspiration from K-Swiss’ history as a pioneering American tennis brand. Styles include a pullover windbreaker, a white crewneck with chenille tennis motifs, nylon shorts in white and bright pink, a black graphic tee, and retro caps. The Si-18 sneaker borrows the same aesthetic as the apparel and was designed by Jack Carlson, founder and creative director of Rowing Blazers and former World Championships bronze medalist in rowing.
“I’ve been wearing K-Swiss since I was a kid, and the Si-18 is an iconic tennis shoe in a way that just a small number of sneakers are truly important in the history of athletic footwear. So, this collaboration is very meaningful for me,” ” says Carlson. “I wanted to use a very wearable ‘90s palette, and I was inspired by the tennis gear I collected growing up, going to the Open, and attending tennis camps.”
The campaign for the collection features former American No.1 men’s tennis player Mardy Fish. “I grew up watching Mardy play,” says Carlson. “He’s one of a kind in the sport of tennis: a true American superstar with an incredible comeback story, and he was ahead of his time in speaking about mental health and anxiety in sport.”
A portion of sales from each pair of sneakers will go to the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, which provides children, particularly those from underserved communities, with the opportunity to participate in safe and impactful fitness, nutritional, and enrichment programs.
The Rowing Blazers x K-Swiss collection launches this Thursday, June 23rd on the Rowing Blazers website, kswiss.com, and fredsegal.com. LA lifestyle brand Fred Segal is also hosting a pop-up event for the launch, open from June 23rd through June 30th at 8500 Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles during regular store hours. Check out the lookbook photos below.
