Tennis
player Maria Sharapova has launched her own clothing and accessories line,
Sugarpova, and has also worked alongside Nike for years on a range of sporting
goods. Opening up on the pieces she designed in collaboration with Nike, Maria
commented that she always set out to create designs that accented the body
beautifully but that also felt fashionable and original: "I've always
wanted to stand out from original and regular tenniswear, focusing on details
and trying to elevate fashion on the court. Whether it be a seamless bond, or
the proportions, or the way the waist is made - for me it's always about trying
to create an edgy shape, figuring out different formulas in order to create
this unique balance."
She
adds that she aims to create designs that can be worn both on and off court,
adaptable in to casual ensembles for daywear. She explained that she likes the
idea of being able to work sportswear in to street style: "I love to
create one-of-a-kind pieces that transfer from the tennis court or the gym and
can be worn as street style. I think that what people expect from sportswear is
more than just an athletic capability. I always gravitate towards pieces that I
can wear with leggings and that I can layer in a long top or a hoodie that
doesn't scream tennis - it's just comfortable sportswear attire."
Maria
has plenty of ties to the fashion world and previously got to know Alexander
McQueen's head designer, Sarah Burton. She reveals that they spent some time
together and she was surprised by the meeting: "I personally got to know
her a couple of years ago. It was during Wimbledon and I wanted to wear one of
her designs so I sent her an email and we got together for dinner. I really
enjoy her vision, she's so down to earth and yet she designs these
out-of-the-box, beautifully unique, detailed pieces. I've always admired her.
She just had this incredible pressure designing for a house that is so
recognisable and she's done a great job."
