Timea Babos is one of the players wearing the new retrospective line at Indian Wellsgetty images
Fila used its partnership with the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells to "launch a retrospective fashion and tennis line that will include four capsule collections throughout the tennis season," according to Tim Newcomb of FORBES. Fila's new P.L. Rolando line honors the brand's original Creative Dir Pierluigi Rolando, who passed away in December '16. Prior to his death, he gave Fila a "book of sketches of unused product." The four new capsule collections are all "based from sketches in those books and the Rolando design archives." The other three capsules will appear ahead of the other three Grand Slam events. The 6,000-square-foot on-site Fila store at Indian Wells has an "entire space dedicated to the P.L. Rolando collection, but also opens up to show off a variety of performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel products." Fila has sponsored the tournament since '98, its "largest global sponsorship among a vast array of tennis tournaments Fila sponsors." Fila Senior Global Marketing Manager Lauren Mallon said that the opportunity allows them to put "not only their athletes on the court in unique looks, but dress officials and ball kids in performance product." Players wearing the new line this weekend include John Isner and Timea Babos (FORBES.com, 3/7).
