Sports Business Digest » Maria Sharapova unveils her Cole Haan line

Maria Sharapova unveils her Cole Haan line

Posted on August 31st, 2009. Written by Emmett Jones.

Maria Sharapova is not the first tennis star to try her hand into the world of fashion (i.e. Serena Williams, amongst others) but she is the most recent. Sharapova unveiled her new line of Cole Haan handbags and footwear in New York City at the end of last week. From ColeHaan.com,

Just days before taking the court for the US Open Championships, twenty-two year old tennis star Maria Sharapova unveiled her Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan collection of handbags and footwear – at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Fans, tourists, and onlookers burst into cheers as Sharapova was introduced by celebrity MC Quddus on a specially constructed stage where Maria unveiled her new advertising campaign for Cole Haan.

“Everyone loves Maria. It’s great to be working with her and adding a new dimension to Cole Haan’s history,” states Jim Seuss, Chief Executive Officer.

Children from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Junior Tennis Development Program, New York Junior Tennis League, and the City Parks Foundation were thrilled to meet their tennis icon.

Sharapova’s collaboration with Cole Haan began with sketches, mood boards, and inspirations from the tennis star. Maria’s on-the-go, international lifestyle inspired this chic collection. Maria infused aspects of her playful personality into every detail of the line from the polished buckles of the shoes, to the leather wrapped chain straps of the handbags.

“It’s my hope that other young women will embrace the spirit of the collection; it’s fun, chic, fashionable and most importantly, able to take you from day to night,” says Sharapova.

The Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan footwear collection, featuring Nike Air technology, includes a ballet flat, an ankle-wrapped stiletto, a flat over-the-knee boot, an ankle bootie and a strappy platform sandal. With prices ranging from $138 – $328, the collection offers luxe options at an attainable level.

Highlights of the handbag offering include a small frame clutch, a lambskin hobo, and Maria’s signature chain-link satchel in a range of eye-catching colors. Each silhouette is characterized by an oversized pleating detail, creating a luxe, yet casual feel. Prices range from $248 for a convertible clutch to $428 for a lambskin hobo.

The “celebrity fashion line” always seems to do pretty well; especially when the product comes from a popular athlete (check) and a popular designer (check). The price point seems a little high, especially considering Sharapova’s fan base and peoples’ disposable income, but I assume that’s in line with paying a premium price for an athlete endorsed/created product. Also interesting to see that the footwear collection incorporates Nike technology into the Cole Haan footwear. Apparently, even in ballet flats, its impossible to escape the grasp of the king.

Generally, these are great deals for the athlete. Sharapova appears in a product launch, appears in some print ads, and gets some upfront money for the endorsement deal or a percentage of the sales on the back-end (or a combination of the two). Sharapova is represented by IMG (Max Eisenbud).

Video of Sharapova’s Cole Haan line debut, is below

This entry was posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 8:45 am and is filed under Fringe Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.