Tennis

The Classicist: Southern Proper's Timeless Style

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

Mint juleps, seersucker, stately plantations, belles in summer dresses and those F. Scott Fitzgerald stories where they go around saying "Good mawnin', Sally Carrol" -- all come together in the new spring collection from Southern Proper, a gentleman's outfitter from Atlanta now gaining wider recognition from natty northerners.

Tags: Atlanta, bow ties, croquet, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Georgia, golf, Kentucky Derby, mens clothing, mens style, mint julep, polo, preppy, sailing, southern plantations, Southern Proper, southern+mens+style, southernmensstyle, tennis, the south, ties

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Abramovich's Girlfriend, Sharapova and Sexy Spy Make List of Russia's Most Beautiful Women

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

In honor of International Women's Day, Russian news service Russia Beyond the Headlines (RBTH) has anointed the 12 most beautiful women in Russia. The list includes supermodel Natalia Vodianova (above), Roman Abramovich's gorgeous girlfriend Dasha Zhukova and tennis star Maria Sharapova as well as sexy spy Anna Chapman, who was kicked out of the U.S. last summer following espionage charges. Here's the full rundown of RBTH's Russian beauties; it's unclear whether they're ranked in order of pulchritude, but if so Anna Chapman clocks in high at #3, Vodianova is #4, Sharapova is #5 and Zhukova #6:

1. Alina Kabayeva - Retired world rhythmic gymnastics champion and current politician.

2. Tatyana Golikova - Russian Minister of Health and Social Development.

3. Anna Chapman - Modern Mata Hari, beautiful former spy and current TV host.

4. Natalia Vodianova - Model for international brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Calvin Klein, and Valentino, and a known philanthropist.

5. Irina Shaykhlislamova - A top model who has also captured the heart of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's top football players. [cont'd]

Gallery: Most Beautiful Russians

Source

Tags: abramovich, Anna Chapman, beatiful+women, beatifulwomen, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldos girlfriend, cristiano+ronaldo+irina, cristianoronaldoirina, Dasha Zhukova, espionage, irina+shaykhlislamova, irinashaykhlislamova, Maria Sharapova, models, most beautiful Russians, most beautiful women, Natalia Vodianova, politician, Roman Abramovich, ronaldo, Russia, Russian beauties, Russian billionaires, Russian models, sexy Russians, sharapova, spies, supermodel, tennis, tennis star, women

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The Classicist: Win a Private Tour of Ralph Lauren's Car Collection & More

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Events, Charity, Sports, Big Givers, Men's Style, The Classicist, Luxury Shopping

From now through Oct. 21, Ralph Lauren is auctioning off a number of extraordinary items and experiences to mark the 10th anniversary of Pink Pony, the designer's global initiative to raise awareness and funds in support of the fight against cancer. The online auction, the first of its kind for the Pink Pony cause, is being produced in partnership with luxury charity auction site charitybuzz. Highlights of the incredible event include several once-in-a-lifetime forays into the private world of the famed fashion designer and his luxury empire, including classic cars, polo, chauffeured Bentleys, sexy models and shopping sprees. You check out full details and register to place bids at www.charitybuzz.com/RalphLauren; meanwhile, here are The Classicist's top picks:

1. A private tour of Lauren's incredible car collection, estimated at $150,000: You and a friend will be shown the cars, including the ultra-rare 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic (above), worth an estimated $40 million, a $28 million Ferrari 250 GTO, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, McLaren F1LM and more, by Lauren himself at his lavish estate in Bedford, New York. You'll also get a ride in one of these world-class driving machines and take home a signed copy of Speed, Style, and Beauty: Cars from the Ralph Lauren Collection.

2. A weekend at Lauren's private Round Hill Villa in Jamaica, estimated at $150,000: A priceless opportunity to spend four days and three nights for you and up to three guests at the designer's personal Jamaican paradise. The fully staffed villa, which sits on a magnificent, picturesque cliff over the crystal blue Caribbean Sea, has been featured on the covers of House & Garden and Architectural Digest. Enjoy a swim in the villa's infinity pool and private beach access, as well as complimentary tennis lessons and a yoga session.

3. Play polo with Nacho Figueras and stay at The Breakers in Palm Beach, estimated at $15,000: Take a lesson from Nacho Figueras, world class polo player and Ralph Lauren model. You and a guest will refuel afterward during lunch with Nacho, and you'll also spend three nights at the exclusive Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, including a spa treatment for two at the Breakers Spa; a round of golf for two; a $1,000 private shopping experience at the Ralph Lauren store at the Breakers; and VIP access to the U.S. Open at the International Polo Club.

4. Front row seats to the Ralph Lauren fashion show and an outfit from the runway, estimated at $25,000: Bring along a friend when you meet the designer and sit in the elite front row at his Fall 2011 Fashion Show in New York. Then, select your favorite look from the runway to add to your own personal collection. Enjoy two nights at a penthouse suite at The Setai Fifth Avenue hotel, including breakfast for two and one signature spa treatments. [continued]

Gallery: Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Auction

Tags: ad campaign, auction, Bedford, Bentley, bespoke, Boris Becker, Bugatti, car collection, Caribbean, Carlyle Hotel, charity, charitybuzz, classic cars, designer, fashion show, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GTO, Jamaica, London, mens style, Mercedes-Benz, Nacho Figueras, Palm Beach, Paris, Pink Pony, polo, Ralph Lauren, Rhinelander Mansion, Setai, tennis, The Breakers, The Savoy, villa, Wimbledon

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Classic '70s Country Club Polos by Boast Reborn

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style

Boast, the iconic, exclusive polo shirt brand founded in 1973 by Bill St. John, the tennis pro at Greenwich, Connecticut's famed Field Club, is being relaunched this month with a modern spin. Boast polos, featuring the notorious Japanese Maple leaf logo which many assumed to be a pot leaf, were originally sold only by Saint John from the back of his station wagon at country clubs across the Northeast. He designed the shirts in homage to the rebellious tennis stars of the day like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, the intentional pot leaf confusion adding a subversive touch.

Now John Dowling and Alexander Tiger, major racquet sports devotees and longtime fans of Boast, have revived the brand and updated the fabric and fit of the shirts, and are making them available outside country club pro shops for the first time. Dowling and Tiger have brought in Jack Spade designer Andy Spade's creative studio Partners & Spade to help breathe new life into the brand. The super soft and durable Boast pique cotton polo, offered in a range of colors in a classic ﬁt, is now available for $68 via BoastUSA.com. There's also a beautifully hand-tailored navy blazer with eye-catching details for $1,200.

Gallery: Boast Reborn

Tags: Andy Spade, Connecticut, country club, Field Club, Greenwich, Jack Spade, John McEnroe, mens style, Partners Spade, polo, polo shirt, shirts, sports, tennis

Wild Dunes Resort, Where They Wrote The Book On Tennis

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

If the U.S. Open has gotten you in a tennis frame of mind, you might want to head down to the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina to practice your skills. Wild Dunes has been listed at some of the top tennis resorts by Tennis magazine. The instruction is led by Charly Rasheed, the resort's Director of Tennis. He has written a book "Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus in Tennis." Beginning September 8, new instructional tennis packages available at the Resort include "Focus for Results" and "Fall Group Stay, Focus on Play," with each including a complimentary signed copy of Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus in Tennis authored by Rasheed. "Focus for Results" is ideal for an individual or couple looking to improve their game while "Fall Group Stay, Focus on Play" completes the ultimate tennis getaway for groups. The resort has 17 Har-Tru courts, including a stadium court, with five of the courts lit for night play. Guests also have access to a full-service pro shop and a top-ranked teaching program.

Rasheed and his team instruct players on the philosophy of brain alignment and how it relates to the sport of tennis. "My theory and how it applies to philosophy of brain alignment suggests that in a competitive arena, such as tennis, we are two selves," said Rasheed. "We are the logical self and the athletic self. Understanding and harnessing these two selves is central to improving an individual's game." Visit Wild Dunes Resort's website to view footage of Rasheed teaching the fundamentals of the service toss and doubles strategy.

There's more to do than just tennis at Wild Dunes. The resort also has championship golf, a spa and of course, beautiful dunes.

Tags: charly rasheed, south carolina, tennis, tennis lessons, wild dunes resort

The Classicist: Royal Ascot, Henley, Cowes & the English Summer Season

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events, Sports, The Classicist

The English summer season is in full swing with the year's most important and stylish sporting events on the horizon, maintaining the British traditions of horse racing, tennis, rowing, polo and sailing with elegance and ardor. Lord's Test Cricket has passed, but the Royal Ascot races, the Wimbledon tennis championships, Cartier International Polo, the Henley Royal Regatta and the yacht races at Cowes round out a full season's worth of sporting occasions that are as much fun to watch as to participate in. Herewith The Classicist's guide to the best in class (with a tip of the Panama to the London Telegraph); all you need is a pitcher of Pimm's:

Royal Ascot – June 15-19, Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

Since it was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, the annual Royal Ascot races have become the highlight of the English social season. Ostensibly a five-day sporting event, it's also evolved into something of an immense fashion show, marked by the arrival of the Royal Family in ceremonial horse-drawn carriages every day. It has become the style for ladies to sport increasingly outrageous hats, and lately the traditional rules about "formal day dress" in the coveted Royal Enclosure have been rather loosely interpreted.

Gallery: Royal Ascot & the English Summer Season

Tags: Ascot, Cartier, Cowes, England, equestrian, Henley Royal Regatta, horse racing, Isle of Wight, London, polo, Regatta, Royal Ascot, sailing, sailing yacht, sporting, summer, tennis, UK, Wimbledon, yacht, yachting, yachts

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Ralph Lauren Launches Interactive Tennis Clinic

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports

Ralph Lauren, official outfitter of Wimbledon, is launching an interactive Legends Clinic for tennis fans online via his marquee Polo Ralph Lauren brand. Designed to celebrate both the Wimbledon and American Open Tennis championships, the clinic will launch on June 17. The main feature will be live interviews with three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, who will be answering questions and demonstrating some key techniques from a tennis court near Wimbledon. "Wherever you are - in Korea, Los Angeles or on 57th Street and Madison Avenue - you can ask Boris Becker questions, and he will answer them in real time," a Polo rep explains. "The mission for us is to change the way we create content and also make sure the customer sees the authenticity in our relationship with Wimbledon."

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Tags: Boris Becker, Ralph Lauren, sports, tennis, Wimbledon

Win an Olympus PEN E-PL1 Camera and $5,000 in "PEN Your Story Challenge" [Video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Olympus' great new compact PEN E-PL1 digital camera with professional-grade digital single lens reflex (DSLR) image quality, point-and-shoot simplicity and high-definition (HD) video encourages you to realize your creative vision. To emphasize the point they have launched a contest to win one of the 12-megapixel cameras, along with $5,000 to bring that vision to life, and then some. Dubbed the "PEN your story challenge", the contest runs through June 6th at http://www.youtube.com/getolympus and http://www.getolympus.com, via video proposals submitted by entrants. Your "vision" can be anything you can produce with the PEN E-PL1 and a $5,000 budget, be it a short film with HD video, a fashion spread of pro-quality still images, an adventure chronicle combining both, or an amazing photomontage.

Once the proposal submissions have been narrowed down to 20 semi-finalists selected by the community via thumbs up "likes", six of the best will be selected by a panel of judges from Olympus, as well as the YouTube community. Those six individuals will receive the PEN, the funds and time to bring their proposals to life. Once the six finalists have uploaded their final creations to YouTube for the world to see, one lucky Grand Prize winner will be selected based on a combination of popular vote and the panel of Olympus judges. The Grand Prize winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to New York City to attend the Olympus-sponsored US Open on Olympus Day. The winner's work will be displayed on the giant video board at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center before an audience of thousands.

To help things along Olympus is offering professional tips on making your filmmaking dreams become a reality from multi Webby-Award winner Erik Beck, executive producer of the online DIY filmmaking network Indy Mogul . Beck has produced a how-to video with tips and tricks to assist you with the production of your submission for the PEN your story challenge. The challenge is open to residents of the United States and Canada. When submitting your video proposal for the PEN your story challenge, be sure to explain how, as a finalist, you plan to use the creative features of the Olympus PEN E-PL1 such as the in-camera art filters for your project. Meanwhile check out http://Twitter.com/getolympus, http://www.Facebook.com/getolympus and http://www.Flickr.com/groups/getolympus as well.

Tags: camera, contest, digital camera, New York City, Olympus, Olympus PEN E-PL1, tennis, US Open, video, YouTube

The Classicist: Lacoste's Elements of Style

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Books, The Classicist

Lacoste: The Element of Style, a smashing new book dedicated to the famed French brand about to be published by Assouline, covers much more than just sport shirts; it's about savoir vivre and savoir faire, literally "how to live" and "how to be" with plenty of style. It's designed to illuminate the contemporary relevance of the legacy of René Lacoste, the brand's founder who was the best tennis player in the world at the end of the Roaring Twenties. Nicknamed "Le Crocodile" for his tenacity on the court he began sporting an alligator patch on his blazers starting in 1927, which then became the basis for the sportswear brand he founded in 1933, one of the first labels to marry American functionality with European elegance. He also designed tennis rackets and other equipment, filing 25 patents during his lifetime.

The logo was applied to the easy breathing piqué sports shirts Lacoste favored, which helped him to cope with the heat on American tennis courts. It was a major revolution for players, who until then had worn starched, long-sleeve dress shirts even on the hottest days. The book comes in various different colors, a nod to the fact that Lacoste began producing its shirts in dozens of different shades well before anyone else caught the color bug. Until the 1950s, only white polos and shirts were allowed on tennis courts, but beginning in 1951, the company dared to add contrasting elements in navy blue, then red. That helped revitalize fashion both on and off the courts and presaged the color explosion of the 1960s.

Gallery: Lacoste: The Elements of Style

Tags: Assouline, books, Lacoste, polo shirt, PoloShirt, Rene Lacoste, ReneLacoste, shirts, style, tennis

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Vikingshill, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Tennis great Bjorn Borg was once the owner of this Swedish paradise, Vikingshill. In the early 1990s this home and his Stockholm apartment were sold off to satisfy debts before Borg made another run at a tennis career. The island estate includes a main home and guest house. I don't speak Swedish and I wasn't able to dig up too much information on this one but it's a charming retreat with an enviable view. Although the exterior is traditional, the interior embraces a more contemporary style. The estate includes a sandy beach, golf practice area, dock and a pool.

Gallery: Vikingshill

[Thanks, Fredrik!]

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Tags: bjorn borg, BjornBorg, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, sweden, tennis, vikingshill

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Sports OPTYX by Gruen Launched at U.S. Open

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

Sports OPTYX by gruen, a stylish new high-tech, high-performance eyewear line born from a collaborative effort between PrescripSun™ by Carl Zeiss and Nike Vision Lens Technology, was just launched at the U.S. Open. The new line will be vailable exclusively at OPTYX by gruen, the high-end eyewear boutique founded by industry legend John Gruen with branches in New York City, the Hamptons and Greenwich, CT, whose celeb clientele includes Martin Scorsese, Kate Moss, Lauren Hutton, Dustin Hoffman, Madonna, Alec Baldwin, Steven Spielberg and Elton John.

Nike Max Optics delivers precise vision at all angles regardless of the curvature of the lens, while Nike Max Tints enhance critical visual details, providing the ideal amount of light and the optimal range of color for all sports. In order to guarantee maximum performance, athletes must have a clear view in all directions; the Nike Max Optics' patented performance designs have been crafted to allow the clearest view over the widest angle, granting precise peripheral vision, customized for major types of sporting activities, including golf, cycling, running, skiing and rowing.

Tags: golf, John Gruen, JohnGruen, Nike, OPTYX by gruen, OptyxByGruen, sunglasses, tennis, U.S. Open, U.s.Open

Fred Perry 100th Anniversary Polos

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of dashing British tennis champ Fred Perry, and to celebrate the classic clothing brand that bears his name is coming out with an exclusive new collection of limited edition polo shirts. The polos feature an enlarged version of Fred Perry's iconic 16-leaf laurel symbol with centenary embroidery underneath, in vintage-inspired colors.

Launched at Wimbledon in 1952, the Fred Perry polo shirt was an immediate success. The new collection debuts on May 15th and will be available at the Fred Perry Soho store in New York, Neiman Marcus in Dallas, and Citizen Clothing in San Francisco among others for $95. Perry was the World No. 1 player for five years and was the last Englishman to win the Wimbledon, US Open, French Open and Australian Open Men's Singles titles.

Tags: British fashion, BritishFashion, Fred Perry, FredPerry, tennis, UK, Wimbledon

Monte Carlo Hopes For Good Attendance At Tennis Tournament

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

U.S. players don't fill up the roster but for the rest of the the tennis world, the Rolex Masters Monte Carlo is a prime sports event and the start of the season on the French Riviera. It is the first big clay court tournament of the season and heralds the beginning of warm weather activities much the way the Masters does for golf.

Wealth Bulletin reports that after this grim and withering winter, Monte Carlo tennis fans are ready to indulge. A 20-seat prestige box at the Masters tournament costs 48,000 euros. The Monte Carlo Country Club has invested on expanding their facilities, adding 10,000 to the center court. The club is expecting an additional 3,000 spectators on what is one of the most gorgeous viewing courts in the game.

Monaco has been looking for increased tourism in a more aggressive way lately. Events like the Masters tennis tournament and the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix should provide an indicator of just how willing the wealthy are to continue to flock to the seaside town.

Tags: masters, monte carlo, MonteCarlo, rolex, tennis

Tiffany & Co. 1837 Tennis Ball Can

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

Think Tiffany's & Co. and you probably think fine jewelry, diamonds, and little blue boxes. But they have other offerings as well, some of them not what you'd expect, like this 1837 Tennis Ball Can. Designed to hold 4 tennis balls and keep them at optimal playing temperature, the can couldn't be simpler in design. Made of sterling silver shined to perfection, one of the tennis ball can's few adornments is a Tiffany's logo stamped on the lid along with the numbers 925 and 1837. $1,500

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Tags: silver, sterling silver, SterlingSilver, tennis, tennis ball, TennisBall, tiffany, Tiffany and co, TiffanyAndCo, tiffanys

Fred Perry & Raf Simons Collaboration for Spring

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

Fred Perry, the iconic British clothing brand with a laurel leaf symbol named for the dashing tennis champion, has just released its second collaboration with Belgian designer Raf Simons, for Spring / Summer 2009.

Drawing inspiration from both punk rock and West African culture - neither traditionally known for tennis togs - the collection features natural fabrics and a vibrant color palette of copper brown, earth orange, regal blue and honey hues.

Comprised of 25 pieces, key items include a re-working of the classic Fred Perry polo shirt, originally launched at Wimbledon in 1952, in a striped open knit style (right, $397.50), slip-on tassel loafers ($202), an open knit cardigan ($503), and a slim fit Harrington jacket in regal blue ($292).

There's also the classic Fred/Raf hybrid polo shirt featuring a shirt stand collar and body 'darting' that creates a slimmer, cleaner silhouette, and orange double layer mesh sleeveless tennis shirts and short sleeve turtlenecks styled with slim fit trousers both in regal blue. See the gallery for more.

Gallery: Fred Perry x Raf Simons

Tags: Fred Perry, FredPerry, Raf Simons, RafSimons, Tennis, Wimbledon

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