Axel Arigato in sneaker deal with UK tennis star Draper

Here’s a couple of firsts: Swedish fashion brand Axel Arigato announces its debut trainer collection partnership with an athlete, and by choosing tennis star Jack Draper, it also becomes the UK number-one’s first collaboration with a sneaker brand. 

“Marking a new chapter for the brand shaped by the expanding cultural influence of sport”, Draper steps into a new role as brand creative collaborator. 

Developed with Axel Arigato’s creative director Jens Werner and the brand’s footwear teams across a series of collaborative and creative meetings, it’s a partnership that’s grown from Draper’s longstanding affinity for wearing the brand’s sneakers, the company said.

“It serves as a reflection for him — the collaboration is inspired by the cities, energy, and atmosphere between matches that define the sport’s most influential moments”, Axel Arigato added.

Draper said: “I’ve loved Axel Arigato footwear since I was 17, and when I won my first professional paycheque I bought three pairs of their shoes… so to have the opportunity to collaborate with a brand I love, has been incredible.” 

With injury limiting his time on court last year, the collaboration “presented a prime opportunity to develop his creative credentials including a passion for photography and footwear design”. 

Werner added: “Working so collaboratively with Jack has really allowed us to create products rooted in our long-standing inspiration from tennis and to look to the traditions of the world’s biggest tournaments.

“His genuine love for our sneakers, and the fresh perspective he brings to them, pushed our colour and material stories into exciting new territories. 

“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.”