27 August 2024 |
Made with Yoon Ahn, it was inspired by Japanese subcultures.
Perhaps no stage is bigger, at least tennis fashion wise, than the U.S. Open. While Wimbledon and the French Open lean towards traditional outfits, athletes know that Arthur Ashe stadium is the place to make a statement. Think Andre Agassi’s acid washed jeans in 1990 or Serena William’s crystal-encrusted all-black ensemble in 2022. This year’s look to note? Naomi Osaka’s custom Nike x Yoon Ahn kit, which will commemorate her return to the tournament after having her first child. Covered in bows and nodding to Japanese subcultures, it’s an eye-catching moment for one of the sport’s great players.
Consisting of two colors, green for daytime play and black for evening, there are also walk-on skirts and jackets with oversized bows. “The inspiration that fueled the look for me — and this might be a Japanese term — is feeling like a ‘magical girl’ on the court,” Osaka says via press release. “There’s a moment of transformation for me when I walk onto the court, and I have a lot of fun playing, so wanting everyone who sees the outfit to connect with that feeling is a really big motivation for me.” Distinctive and nodding to her successes on the court, they also mark a pivotal time for Osaka as she comes in as a wild card, ranked 85th after winning in 2018 and 2020.
While sadly, you won’t be able to buy Osaka’s look, there will be a capsule collection available. At a time when tennis-core is at its peak, this vintage-inspired line is sure to be popular. Also designed by Ahn, the Nike Women by Yoon collection features pieces that riff on school uniforms like tailoring alongside preppy polos, flippy skirts, and varsity jackets albeit a subversive twist. “We live in a girls’ world, and I wanted to embody that in Naomi’s on-court look as well as the collection,” she says in the press release. “For Naomi’s look, she brought forward a vision and it was my job as a designer to create something that she’ll feel confident and comfortable in when she walks onto the court, allowing her to bring 100% of herself. The collection is an extension of that idea, allowing women to bring out their character and enhance their own personal styles.”
Nike Women by Yoon is available now.
