Afterpay’s first foray into sportswear marks a special collaboration with lifestyle brand Arthur Ashe. The namesake label, run by photographer and graphic artist Jeanne Moutoussamy, the Arthur Ashe estate, Rowing Blazers’ creative director and founder Jack Carlson and art director Karl-Raphael Blanchard, pays homage to the life and legacy of Arthur Ashe, the first (and only) Black American male to win the U.S. Open Championship and the singles title at Wimbledon. The brands teamed up to create a tennis-inspired apparel capsule driving excitement for this year’s final Grand Slam Championship. The collection will exclusively debut on the Afterpay app as part of its Dropshop, a premier shopping destination for limited-edition drops and artist-led collaborations.
Afterpay’s Dropshop connects millions of consumers with the best retailers and brands in the world, unlocking exclusive access to limited merchandise, offers and experiences during key moments of the year, giving them the ability to pay for these drops over time. Celebrating trailblazers in the industry, Dropshop commemorates the life and career of Arthur Ashe, a fashion savant and fervent champion of civil rights.
The brand offers bold, colorful interpretations of tennis fashion, inspired by the charismatic flair of the late athlete, famously regarded as a style icon in his prime. In between winning the U.S. Open Championship in 1968 and singles title at Wimbledon in 1975, Ashe epitomized the best of 1970s fashion — think velvet suits with sharp lapels, elegant, colorblocked button-ups paired with tailored athletic shorts and more. The clothing brand is known for replicating styles worn by Ashe on and off the court, and with Jack Carlson and Kith alum Karl-Raphael Blanchard at the helm, the brand embodies a contemporary breath — effortlessly cool and funky while retaining a sharp sartorial identity.
The Arthur Ashe x Afterpay capsule includes a hoodie, a T-shirt, a hat and on-the-go travel accessories like a tote bag and reusable water bottle. A blue and white color story dominates the collection, and the accompanying apparel items seamlessly pair back to baggy denim or relaxed activewear. The hoodie features co-branded lettering on the front and back panels, while textured chenille patches denote Ashe’s Grand Slam Titles in 1968, 1970 and 1975. This commemorative detail reappears on the accompanying T-shirt, featuring co-branded logos on each panel. A monochromatic tote bag, water bottle and tennis balls top off the collection. Luckily, fans of Arthur Ashe can buy now and pay later in four easy installments on Afterpay Dropshop to cop the collection before it sells out.
Afterpay will unveil the collection during an experiential activation at 41 Division St. on September 4 and 5 that is open to the public. Coinciding with the Grand Slam Championship in New York City, the event will blend sport and fashion, inviting guests to peruse the collection in a reimagined space featuring a dedicated tennis wall and more.
Get a closer look at the collection in the galleries above. The celebratory capsule will exclusively debut on Afterpay app through the HBX website starting September 6. Stay tuned on Hypebeast to see more from Afterpay.