Tennis celebrity Maria Sharapova has unveiled her Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan collection of handbags and footwear at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The triple Grand Slam winner (Wimbledon 2004, US Open 2006 & Australian Open 2008) apparently came up with her own fashion designs while she was recouping from a shoulder injury and skipped the tennis route for a while.
Sharapova’s collaboration with fashion brand Cole Haan, which was announced last year, began with sketches, mood boards, and inspirations from the tennis star. 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.
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. Prices start at $138, going up to $328.
The handbag collection includes 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 tennis star-cum-fashion designer, who’s 6-foot-2 tall, and yet loves wearing stiletto, said:
“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.”
“Everyone loves Maria. It’s great to be working with her and adding a new dimension to Cole Haan’s history,” said Jim Seuss, CEO of Cole Haan, a subsidiary of Nike.
Seeded 29 at the US Open 2009, Sharapova will be playing unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, on the first round at Flushing Meadows next week.
Check out a couple of Maria’s handbag designs:
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More on Maria and more photos of Maria Sharapova here:
Sharapova: Collaborator for Cole Haan Collection
Sony Ericsson Unveils Maria Sharapova Design Collection
Maria Sharapova to Speak for Sony Ericsson
