ROME.- Three designers from Korea, Germany and Thailand have been announced as the winners in the ellesse international design competition. Create Tennis Art was launched earlier this year to mark the Italian sportswear brand’s 50th anniversary whilst reflecting the brand’s association with fashion and the arts. Their work, three distinctive pieces of art – a photograph, poster print and illustration – was selected from more than 500 entries and revealed at the brand’s luxurious 50th anniversary party in Rome.

The winning design is by 31-year-old Korean photographer Yang Yoo-Jin entitled ‘Put On Tennis’. With a degree in textile art from Kyungwon University, Yang Yoo-Jin combined textiles and photography to create a striking submission. Presenting a play on of one of the brand’s most iconic products, the winning image recreates, in astro-turf, the sleek silhouette of the simple and chic tennis dress synonymous with ellesse. Bearing a necklace of tennis balls and overlaid with a faint outline of a tennis court, the image perfectly re-interprets one of the brand’s key signature pieces and roots in the sport of tennis.

On winning the prize worth 4,500 euros and having his design form part of the ellesse 50th anniversary celebrations, Yang Yoo-Jin said: “I can’t believe it, having seen some of the other Create Tennis Art entries online, I am thrilled as I know the competition was fierce. I am particularly looking forward to seeing my work alongside other artists such as Si Scott and Kate Gibb.”

Commenting on the winning design, Richard Newcombe, President of Ellesse Ltd said: “We’re delighted to have received over 500 exciting entries for the Create Tennis Art competition. Yang Yoo-Jin’s entry particularly stood out as it reflects the brand’s origins in tailored sportswear and the spirit of style that defined it 50 years ago perfectly. Each of the winner’s work tells the rich story of the brand in their own distinctive styles and we are very proud to showcase all of the work at the ellesse 50th anniversary party in Rome.”

Winner of the second prize worth 2,000 euros is 29-year-old German Frauke Brenner whose design ‘Declaration of Love to ellesse’ is a colourful, fun and vibrant illustration depicting the eclectic heritage of the brand.

The third prize for 750 euros goes to Cheunpis Suwanbhanu from Thailand, 28, who has created a vintage-style graphic inspired by bouncing tennis balls, incorporating the key ellesse colours of red and orange with the addition of gold to signify the golden anniversary.

The categories of the competition ranged from fashion and textiles, right through to fine art, sculpture, street art, graphics and digital and the winning designs were chosen by a panel of judges including world renowned illustrator and typographer, Si Scott, as well as key ellesse and Pentland designers and directors.

Yang Yoo-Jin joins silk screen artist Kate Gibb, animator Babis Alexiadis and renowned illustrator Si Scott, along with three students from both the Instituto Italiano Design in Perugia and London School of Fashion in having their designs exhibited and featured in the landmark anniversary celebration for the brand.