World No.1 Naomi Osaka is back in New York, ready to kick off her first ever Grand Slam title defense in style — wearing edgy sports apparel designed by Sacai’s Chitose Abe in partnership with NikeCourt.
The Japanese fashion label took into consideration Osaka’s color preferences and created a black two-piece outfit with pops of orange, packaged in Abe’s signature hybrid silhouettes and enhanced by Nike’s Dri-Fit performance fabric. The 21-year-old Osaka described her dress-resembling separates in a recent Vogue interview:
There are so many things I love about this outfit. I love pleated skirts, and this one isn’t just a normal pleated skirt; it feels a little bit abstract in a sense, because it has a lot of different things going on. In the back, I have a ruffle piece that is also cut out, which is nice.
While Vogue‘s featured photo shows Osaka in a black and orange outfit, Nike’s press release promotes the same look in black and white.
The Japanese-Haitian player considers that her US Open 2019 style perfectly blends elevated Japanese fashion and her practical on-court apparel needs. Moreover, it is aligned with her general fashion sense:
I tend to gravitate towards pieces that are super unique and funky—it’s too tame for Japan, but too wild for America.
The 11-piece Sacai x Nike collection offers just that, as Osaka explains:
It makes me feel edgy and confident, but in an understated way. The collection is just really cool and different from anything else you see in sportswear right now… Kind of futuristic, but also really wearable streetwear.
Sacai x Nike pic.twitter.com/dEYumrj202
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) August 16, 2019
As Nike News reports, Osaka will be the first athlete to wear exclusive NikeCourt x Sacai performance apparel at a tennis tournament. Back in 2015, Maria Sharapova was the face of NikeLab x Sacai collab, but the Russian didn’t wear those clothes on the tennis court.
Regarding Osaka’s form, it’s doubtful whether the two-time Grand Slam champion is 100% ready for the US Open, although during the draw ceremony she was quite positive about the knee injury she sustained at the recent Western & Southern Open:
It’s getting better. I would say I’m a fast healer, so I’m banking on that. I’m here and I feel as healthy as I can be.
MORE US OPEN 2019 WTA FASHION:
- Maria Sharapova’s day & night Nike dresses for New York
- Color purple & graphic prints mark NikeCourt collection for Simona Halep, Elina Svitolina, Petra Kvitova
- Sloane Stephens’ Nike kit vamped up with tennis-adapted Air Jordan 8s
- Garbine Muguruza, Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki equipped for New York: Adidas contrasts black and vibrant green in looks inspired by urban tennis culture
- New Balance teams up with Gitman Vintage in collection set to be worn by Danielle Collins, Cori Gauff, and others
- Karolina Pliskova to launch 4th edition of Fila P.L. Rolando collection in New York
- Ashleigh Barty, Kiki Bertens to debut Fila Awning collection
- Bethanie Mattek-Sands‘ Born Free Lucky in Love style
- Lotto introduces Pop Flower collection for Elise Mertens, Lesia Tsurenko, Alize Cornet
- Julia Goerges, Zhang Shuai show their Asics outfits
That orange and black outfit is NICE! Love it.
Used to be Serena. Rafa, Roger, & Maria with their own Nike line. Now Naomi as well, I think Nike invested well with athletes that have that star quality.
(*Except the fact that they let go RF to Uniqlo).
Naomi looks like a manga heroine with this outfit (like Sailor Moon)
Naomi rocks
I loved it! It feels like the collection was inspired by samurai paintings.
Loving it and so perfect for New York! Can’t wait for everyone to see what Serena is wearing. Wow one word “Graffiti” ????
Riaaaaa, Serena will wear custom bodysuit and shoes that celebrate her US Open career wins on the heel. I have no photos of the look, but I read the info on the Nike News website.