Offspring

Ellesse and King of Trainers Link Up for “Grand Slam” Spring/Summer 22 Collection

ellesse, an Italian sportswear brand, has collaborated with British sneaker collector and Instagram personality King of Trainers on a six-piece apparel and shoe collection dubbed “Grand Slam.”

Advertisement

The King of Trainers, real name Franklin Boateng, who was born in Tottenham, has previously worked with ellesse on a number of tennis shoes, but this is the first time a full collection has been produced. The Ernest Simons-photographed collaboration between Boateng and ellesse honors ellesse’s tennis heritage, particularly the 1980s when players like Pet Cash and Boris Becker wore the brand’s colors.

Shoes from the collection are available in a dual color scheme, with one foot being navy blue and the other being sky blue. The suede upper is paired with a rubber outsole and textile linings, and there are gold laces that signify the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Advertisement

The two-tone tracksuit from the same navy and sky blue color scheme is another highlight of the collection. Even though the tracksuit also draws inspiration from the Wimbledon competitions, the same fashions were popular on British football fields during the 1980s heyday of firm rivalries and exciting FA Cup matches.

A polo shirt, T-shirt, and shorts set round out the collection, with thick branded zip pullers and embroidered ellesse branding across the chest sections of the shirts and lower leg areas of the shorts. King of Trainers stated about his collaboration:

“This collection is not only an homage to iconic ellesse tennis kits from the 1980s, but it is also a celebration of my mum’s love of the sport that she passed on to me. She used to buy me the latest tennis shoes that the professional players were wearing.”

Advertisement

You can see more of the King of Trainers x ellesse collection above, which is now available on the Offspring website.


SHOP OUR FAVORITES