Italian heritage brand known for its retro sportswear aesthetic rooted in tennis and ski culture.
ORIGIN
Italy
PRICE TIER
affordable
Founded in Perugia, Italy, in 1959 by tailor Leonardo Servadio, Ellesse was born from a desire to bring style and fine craftsmanship to sportswear. The brand first gained prominence with its innovative, tailored skiwear, including the quilted jackets and Jet Pants that fused high-performance function with Italian elegance. By the 1970s, Ellesse had expanded onto the tennis court, establishing a dual heritage symbolized by its iconic 'semi-palla' logo, which represents both a tennis ball and the tips of a pair of skis. A pioneer in branding, it was one of the first companies to place its logo on the exterior of its garments, a move that became a global industry standard and cemented its status in 1980s culture, particularly with the UK 'casuals' subculture.