Introduction
Ellesse is a brand that has always stood at the crossroads of sport and style. Born in Italy in 1959, it was the vision of Leonardo Servadio, a tailor who believed that performance clothing could also be elegant and stylish. With roots in skiing, tennis, and later streetwear, Ellesse has become a global icon in sports fashion.
At Saxumo.com, we are proud to stock Ellesse as part of our curated sportswear offering. Explore the collection here and see how the brand continues to fuse function with unmistakable Italian flair.
Origins The Vision of Leonardo Servadio
Leonardo Servadio launched Ellesse in Perugia, Italy, in 1959. A tailor by trade, he wanted to bring the precision of Italian tailoring into functional sportswear. His first designs included modern trousers that blurred the line between formal style and activewear.
The name Ellesse was taken from Servadio’s initials L and S pronounced “elle” and “esse” in Italian. The logo combined elements of both skiing and tennis, referencing a half tennis ball and the curved tips of skis. This dual identity positioned Ellesse as a sportswear brand with style at its core.
The Rise of Ski and Tennis Style
In the 1960s and 1970s, Ellesse became renowned for skiwear. The standout was the Jet Pant, designed with padded knees and a flared leg to fit neatly over ski boots. In 1979, this innovation was showcased at the Pompidou Centre in Paris as an example of Italian design heritage, cementing Ellesse’s place in the fashion world as well as on the slopes.
Tennis soon became another defining sport for the brand. Ellesse’s apparel was worn by stars including Chris Evert, Boris Becker, and Guillermo Vilas. Their success brought Ellesse international attention and positioned the label as the perfect balance of performance and style.
Timeline Ellesse’s Journey
1959 Foundation
Leonardo Servadio founds Ellesse in Perugia, Italy, with a vision to combine tailoring and sportswear.
1960s Skiwear Innovation
Tailored ski trousers redefine winter sports style.
1970s Tennis Spotlight
Chris Evert and Boris Becker showcase Ellesse on the world’s biggest tennis stages.
1979 Italian Design Recognition
The Jet Pant is honoured at the Pompidou Centre as a symbol of Italian design heritage.
1980s Streetwear Culture
Ellesse pioneers bold logo placement and becomes a favourite among the UK casuals.
1994 New Ownership
The brand joins the Pentland Group brands, gaining access to a global platform.
2000s Global Growth
Ellesse expands its presence worldwide as both a sportswear and fashion brand.
2020s Collaborations
High-profile partnerships with Michael Kors, TikTok, and Tomorrowland reintroduce Ellesse to new generations.
Cultural Impact
Ellesse was one of the first sportswear labels to put its logo prominently on the outside of garments a move that helped create today’s logo-driven fashion culture. In the UK during the 1980s, it was adopted by the casuals, becoming a symbol of premium streetwear.
Ellesse also pushed boundaries with collaborations, working with designers like Jean-Charles de Castelbajac in the 1980s, and later partnering with global icons such as Michael Kors and Zara Larsson. These partnerships proved Ellesse’s ability to stay relevant, combining heritage with modern fashion trends.
Ellesse Today
Now under the ownership of the Pentland Group brands, Ellesse continues to thrive as part of a portfolio that includes Berghaus and Speedo. The brand remains true to its Italian roots, while constantly evolving through collaborations, festival sponsorships, and cultural partnerships.
At Saxumo.com, Ellesse is one of our featured collections. Explore the range here and discover how the brand’s ski and tennis heritage still shapes its style today.
FAQs
Q: When was Ellesse founded?
Ellesse was founded in 1959 in Perugia, Italy, by Leonardo Servadio.
Q: What does the name Ellesse mean?
It comes from Servadio’s initials, “L” and “S,” pronounced in Italian as “elle” and “esse.”
Q: Which sports is Ellesse most associated with?
Skiing and tennis have always been core to Ellesse, but the brand is also closely tied to football and streetwear culture.
Q: Who has worn Ellesse?
Chris Evert, Boris Becker, Anna Kournikova, and icons such as Muhammad Ali and Roger Moore have all worn Ellesse.
Q: Where can I buy Ellesse today?
You can explore the full collection here.
Final Thoughts
Ellesse has proven that sportswear can be both functional and stylish. From Leonardo Servadio’s tailoring in the late 1950s to bold streetwear and global collaborations today, the brand has consistently been at the forefront of fashion and sport.
At Saxumo.com, we are proud to showcase Ellesse’s story and its collections. Explore the range and bring a piece of Italian sports fashion history into your wardrobe.
The History of Ellesse From Italian Tailoring to Global Sportswear Icon
Introduction
Ellesse is a brand that has always stood at the crossroads of sport and style. Born in Italy in 1959, it was the vision of Leonardo Servadio, a tailor who believed that performance clothing could also be elegant and stylish. With roots in skiing, tennis, and later streetwear, Ellesse has become a global icon in sports fashion.
At Saxumo.com, we are proud to stock Ellesse as part of our curated sportswear offering. Explore the collection here and see how the brand continues to fuse function with unmistakable Italian flair.
Origins The Vision of Leonardo Servadio
Leonardo Servadio launched Ellesse in Perugia, Italy, in 1959. A tailor by trade, he wanted to bring the precision of Italian tailoring into functional sportswear. His first designs included modern trousers that blurred the line between formal style and activewear.
The name Ellesse was taken from Servadio’s initials L and S pronounced “elle” and “esse” in Italian. The logo combined elements of both skiing and tennis, referencing a half tennis ball and the curved tips of skis. This dual identity positioned Ellesse as a sportswear brand with style at its core.
The Rise of Ski and Tennis Style
In the 1960s and 1970s, Ellesse became renowned for skiwear. The standout was the Jet Pant, designed with padded knees and a flared leg to fit neatly over ski boots. In 1979, this innovation was showcased at the Pompidou Centre in Paris as an example of Italian design heritage, cementing Ellesse’s place in the fashion world as well as on the slopes.
Tennis soon became another defining sport for the brand. Ellesse’s apparel was worn by stars including Chris Evert, Boris Becker, and Guillermo Vilas. Their success brought Ellesse international attention and positioned the label as the perfect balance of performance and style.
Timeline Ellesse’s Journey
1959 Foundation
Leonardo Servadio founds Ellesse in Perugia, Italy, with a vision to combine tailoring and sportswear.
1960s Skiwear Innovation
Tailored ski trousers redefine winter sports style.
1970s Tennis Spotlight
Chris Evert and Boris Becker showcase Ellesse on the world’s biggest tennis stages.
1979 Italian Design Recognition
The Jet Pant is honoured at the Pompidou Centre as a symbol of Italian design heritage.
1980s Streetwear Culture
Ellesse pioneers bold logo placement and becomes a favourite among the UK casuals.
1994 New Ownership
The brand joins the Pentland Group brands, gaining access to a global platform.
2000s Global Growth
Ellesse expands its presence worldwide as both a sportswear and fashion brand.
2020s Collaborations
High-profile partnerships with Michael Kors, TikTok, and Tomorrowland reintroduce Ellesse to new generations.
Cultural Impact
Ellesse was one of the first sportswear labels to put its logo prominently on the outside of garments a move that helped create today’s logo-driven fashion culture. In the UK during the 1980s, it was adopted by the casuals, becoming a symbol of premium streetwear.
Ellesse also pushed boundaries with collaborations, working with designers like Jean-Charles de Castelbajac in the 1980s, and later partnering with global icons such as Michael Kors and Zara Larsson. These partnerships proved Ellesse’s ability to stay relevant, combining heritage with modern fashion trends.
Ellesse Today
Now under the ownership of the Pentland Group brands, Ellesse continues to thrive as part of a portfolio that includes Berghaus and Speedo. The brand remains true to its Italian roots, while constantly evolving through collaborations, festival sponsorships, and cultural partnerships.
At Saxumo.com, Ellesse is one of our featured collections. Explore the range here and discover how the brand’s ski and tennis heritage still shapes its style today.
FAQs
Q: When was Ellesse founded?
Ellesse was founded in 1959 in Perugia, Italy, by Leonardo Servadio.
Q: What does the name Ellesse mean?
It comes from Servadio’s initials, “L” and “S,” pronounced in Italian as “elle” and “esse.”
Q: Which sports is Ellesse most associated with?
Skiing and tennis have always been core to Ellesse, but the brand is also closely tied to football and streetwear culture.
Q: Who has worn Ellesse?
Chris Evert, Boris Becker, Anna Kournikova, and icons such as Muhammad Ali and Roger Moore have all worn Ellesse.
Q: Where can I buy Ellesse today?
You can explore the full collection here.
Final Thoughts
Ellesse has proven that sportswear can be both functional and stylish. From Leonardo Servadio’s tailoring in the late 1950s to bold streetwear and global collaborations today, the brand has consistently been at the forefront of fashion and sport.
At Saxumo.com, we are proud to showcase Ellesse’s story and its collections. Explore the range and bring a piece of Italian sports fashion history into your wardrobe.