Did you really want to combine women's tennis style and fashion?
Of course. This sport is part of our family's DNA, and therefore part of SIXSŒURS'. Tennis is a unique sport, very different from others. Just the red of the clay, which colors shoes and clothes, I find it ultra-aesthetic. Not to mention the chunky knit sleeveless sweaters, the mythical Lacoste polo, or the "Stan Smith", shoes seen a thousand times but which remain the height of chic and sobriety. It's the only "tennis" shoe my father – a good player in his time – ever wore, both on and off the court. There's also the Dorotennis logo, the Reebok Revenge Club, Agassi's somewhat questionable denim shorts. And every year I looked forward to the new Roland Garros looks. There were Noah's polos. By far the most beautiful. I also remember Monica Seles' victory at Roland-Garros in 1990 against Steffi Graf. I was totally rooting for Graf, but Seles' Roland Garros Fila look was super cool. Nevertheless, the best of all in my eyes – by far – remains Chris Evert, a model of grace and achievements, with her pink-striped tops, which coincided with the appearance of the pop visors that I dreamed of. We were exceptionally allowed to watch TV (forbidden the rest of the time) thanks to a set our father had acquired to follow the Roland-Garros matches.
So you were vaguely inspired by Chris Evert to create your capsule? Have you seen Iga Swiatek's look?
Yes, Iga has the pink cap and a pink spray-painted streak on her polo. But she no longer has it for Roland Garros, and I don't think it was a reference to Chris Evert. Iga is great, she's incredible on the court, she's nice, she's young, but from a style point of view, she's no Chris Evert.
I clearly thought of her when wondering what SIXSŒURS outfit would be imaginable on the Centre Court at Roland Garros. I looked at a lot of old photos of her online. Hence these very eighties volumes, which allow total freedom of movement, especially when serving. We can talk about it again sometime. However, I "rationed" the white, which was still more or less mandatory at that time (and still is at Wimbledon). At first, I had thought of putting vertical white inserts on the sides, but in the end, I put the pattern everywhere. This is to avoid the too sporty side, because what I offer must also be worn off the courts, in the city, at the beach. And I released the pink tennis outfit with the Katell top and Tristan shorts first.
But Jeanne, you, who are THE family champion, what do you think of this cotton model? Do you like it or not? Is there a color that speaks to you?
I wouldn't say it will change my life, but almost. I'll finally be able to wear an outfit that I'll keep on outside of matches, at the beach or at the Club bar, when I play in the summer with my family in a more casual mode. This, without losing any of the comfort of the more functional outfits I usually wear in competition, which, let's face it, are much less pretty and flattering and sometimes even lean towards a weightlifter look, which is not my favorite.
Actually, the outfit I prefer, which I find the most stylish, is the complete blue set. The total look with the Ankita top and the Charles shorts (it was written that's my son's name 😊). I really love it because I find that it's the one that gives the most of a stylish women's tennis look, and what's more, the blue leans a little bit towards purple... I love it. Well done, my sister.
All that's missing is the visor, just like Monica Seles, or I think it was Venus Williams too. Aren't you tempted, Madeleine, to produce one, given the success of your caps? If you do, I'll already reserve one or two for myself!
I almost designed one but I talked myself out of it. The idea for a first collection was not to overdo it, to start with just the outfit. But I promise, next year, we'll think about wristbands and headbands. And why not socks, while we're at it? But I won't say any more...
