THE
FILA
FLAIR
The Fila logo may not be
as ubiquitous as a Pro
V1 on the putting green,
yet. But thanks to a new
line of outerwear and a
new sibling in the golf
world, it’s safe to say
that Fila is beginning to
find its stroke.
JASON KERKMANS By
ahundred years have passed since the fila brand was born in the shadows of the italian alps. best
known as the emblazoned logo on björn
borg’s grand-slam-winning polo shirts,
fila’s 1970s cool has routinely resurfaced
in the united states, first in new York City
in the 1990s, and again just a few years
ago with the re-release of the brand’s most
iconic tennis wear.
so, what does this have to do with golf?
Well, for those who claim that the stuffy
country club fashion has a stranglehold on
golf wear, fila’s iconoclastic style proves
that options do exist. since 2009, fersten
Worldwide has been responsible for the
options in the united states and Canada
as the north american licensee of the fila
brand. in those two short years, fila shirts
and pants for men and women have been
growing in popularity, both for their style
and their athletic comfort.
for 2012, the fila golf line includes an-
other first. fila golf outerwear is now be-
ing stocked on pro shop shelves. for the
new outerwear look, fila golf principle
designer nancy robitaille went back in the
brand’s oeuvre to find inspiration. the re-
sult: a retro 1950s fila style, updated with
the technical and performance fabrics
available today.
among the new designs are the men’s
tahoe and women’s reno long sleeve
sport shirts ($70). the single jersey moss
fabric used in them is lightweight enough
to be worn as a base layer, but stylish
enough that it doesn’t have to be. and it
has just enough of the 50s flair to be un-
mistakably fila. as robitaille says of the
2012 line’s take on vintage golf style, “it’s
nostalgic, fun and perfectly suited for the
country club.”
fila won’t have to look for access to the
club on its own either. the brand’s parent
company, fila korea limited, recently pur-
chased acushnet, the maker of titleist golf
balls and footjoy shoes and apparel. so while
the north american fila golf brand remains
distinct from its korean parent company, it
doesn’t hurt that it already has some sib-
lings in the club and on the course.
