Axel Arigato has inked its first sneaker partnership with a professional athlete.
On Wednesday, the company said it has teamed up with the U.K.’s number one ranked tennis player Jack Draper. As part of the deal, Draper steps into a new role as creative collaborator and has developed a drop in tandem with Axel Arigato’s creative director Jens Werner and the brand’s footwear teams. The Axel Arigato by Jack Draper collaboration will launch later this spring.
Draper noted in a statement that his new collaboration comes from a “longstanding affinity” for wearing Axel Arigato sneakers. The partnership also serves as a point of reflection for him as the collaboration is inspired by the cities, energy, and atmosphere between matches that define the sport’s most influential moments.
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“I’ve loved Axel Arigato footwear since I was 17, and when I won my first professional paycheck I bought three pairs of their shoes… so to have the opportunity to collaborate with a brand I love, has been incredible,” Draper said. “Working closely with Jens and the footwear team made the process special and gave me creative freedom to design footwear that reflects my style. I hope you like the shoes!”
For Werner, working with Draper allowed the company to create products rooted in the brand’s long-standing inspiration from tennis.
“[Draper’s] genuine love for our sneakers, and the fresh perspective he brings to them, pushed our color and material stories into exciting new territories,” Werner added. “His vision is reflective of what a new era of modern athlete can be, a talent that extends beyond just the court and into pop culture.”
The new deal comes at a period of growth and change at the company. In January, Axel Arigato cofounder Albin Johansson, who launched the brand in 2014 with Max Svärdh, announced he was stepping back from his role as chief executive officer. He will remain on the company’s board.
The company ramped up its low-profile footwear offering with the launch of its new Zane sneaker last month. Looking ahead, the brand is working on a new comfort runner silhouette that’s slated to launch in October as well as a skate-inspired shoe that is expected this summer.