The Fila News

In a decade that re-defined hip hop and urban fashion as we know it, Fila was at the helm of 80’s fashion and culture. Today, Fila fans have been coveting its vintage old school look by flooding retailers across the country requesting Fila gear. Even celebs like NAS, Raekwon, Lil John, Busta Rhymes, Nelly, and Rick Ross have been sporting Fila vintage apparel and footwear.

Last night, Fila launched the Fila Spring 2010 Heritage Collection at Veranda Restaurant and Lounge in the West Village in New York City. Guests enjoyed Peroni beer while Veranda's house DJ spinned tunes ranging from old-school hip hop and rap to 80's classics from Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson & Journey.

The Heritage collection pays homage to Fila’s past while staying true to the present with throwback styles from its archives and newer styles inspired by its rich Italian heritage. Vintage pieces  like velour suits and shoe styles like the F-13, Original Tennis and Original Fitness are offered in the Heritage collection. New pieces like wind wear and knit suits in new color ways have been introduced into the collection for Spring.  Vintage footwear styles are still offered in classic colors but new hues have been added that coordinate with the apparel. Outerwear apparel has been introduced into the collection such as down vests and jackets and are available in stores now.

The Spring 2010 Heritage collection is inspired by Fila’s iconic vintage tennis collection and the Spring collection will hit stores on February 15th. Warm weather styles such as v-neck tees, polos, canvas sneakers and velour short suits are available in select specialty stores nationwide.

Many thanks to Mo and Mino from Veranda for great hospitality! The lounge is located on South 7th Avenue in the West Village.  

Check out some of the pictures from the party!

Fila has partnered with interactive multi-channel retailer, HSN, and Emmy winning actress Susan Lucci to develop a collection of Pilates and Fitness apparel that will be sold exclusively on HSN.  The collection will incorporate the performance characteristics and heritage of the Fila brand with the style of Daytime diva and Dancing with the Stars alum, Susan Lucci.

Susan Lucci started her partnership with HSN in 2000 with the launch of a jewelry and fragrance line and has since expanded into a multi-million dollar business, which includes skincare, fitness, as well as fashion, accessories, jewelry, and now athletic apparel.  Lucci credits Pilates as the reason why she is able to stay in shape with her hectic schedule. Her Malibu Pilates program has been a huge success on HSN, selling more than 44,000 units since its launch in September 2008.   It was a natural progression to work with Fila to collaborate on an apparel line to complement Susan’s Malibu Pilates Program.  

Fila’s design team infused subtle feminine details into the new collection that reflect Susan Lucci’s personal style. This figure-flattering collection offers an inventive twist on traditional athletic apparel. 

“Pilates is a huge part of my fitness program and I want to make sure I look great during my workout,” said Susan Lucci. “I fell in love with Fila’s beautiful performance apparel; it makes me look and feel great during my workout. The styles in our new collection are so versatile; I could wear the styles from the gym to running errands around town!”

Susan will officially debut her co-branded Fila fitness apparel exclusively on HSN on December 9th at 9am, and 4pm and December 10th at 11am (all times EDT).  

Susan Lucci in her Fila Pilates apparel

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/search/searchresults/default.aspx?Ntt=susan+lucci+by+fila&N=0&Ntk=Std&st=1&criteria=&days=&minprice=&maxprice=&srchCatNm=&o=esearch

American tennis star James Blake will host a tennis exhibition and after party, BackOffice Associates Serving For A Cure with James Blake,  which will feature former World No. 1, Grand Slam champion and friend Andy Roddick, and a musical performance by multi-Grammy winner Wyclef Jean. The tennis event and after-party will raise money for the Thomas Blake, Sr., Memorial Research Fund, which Blake established to support cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The event will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at Pier 94 in New York City.

All of the net proceeds from the event will benefit the Fund, named in memory of his father, Thomas Blake, Sr., who died of gastric cancer in 2004. To date, Blake has raised more than $1.5 million through his exhibitions, J-Block merchandise sales, and donations to support research into the early detection and screening of cancer.

“I am grateful to BackOffice Associates for stepping up to sponsor this event, and to my good friend Andy Roddick, for his willingness to help support a cause that is close to my heart,” said Blake. “I can’t think of a better way to raise money for leading-edge cancer research than to play tennis, entertain fans, and have a party afterwards. I want to invite everyone to come out for a memorable evening that will benefit such an important cause.”

After the tennis exhibition between Blake and Roddick is complete, the after party will feature a musical performance by multiple Grammy-Award winning writer, musician and producer Wyclef Jean.

In addition to the tennis and music, the event will feature a delectable food tasting from host chef John Mooney and a group of New York City's finest chefs. . There will also be a fashion show during the after party featuring Blake’s new clothing line, the Thomas Reynolds Collection by Fila. 

Tickets for the event are now available. For  more information about  Serving For A Cure with James Blake or to purchase tickets, call 1-866-840-8822 or visit www.jamesblaketennis.com and www.mskcc.org/jamesblake.

Check out BackOffice Associates Serving for a Cure with James Blake on Facebook!

For those who can't make it to the tennis exhibition, the event will be streamed online via usta.com, livestream.com and the event's Facebook page. The streaming will feature an interactive experience where fans can post comments via Facebook and Twitter as well. One Set. One Match. One Cure. And only one place to watch it -online!

The best in the LPGA will converge upon The Houstonian Golf & Country Club in Houston this week for the LPGA Championship presented by Rolex.  LPGA Rookie Stacy Lewis, a former high school state champ from The Woodlands, qualified for the 120 person  72-hole stroke play competition.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Stacy is very excited to return home for the LPGA Championship:

“I think of Texas, I think of Houston and I think of golf,” she said.  “I don't think I have even played in Texas since high school, so this is a really exciting time for me to get to come home and play in front of friends and family,” Lewis said. “I also know firsthand how competitive golf is for girls in that whole area (Houston), and I know I would have loved to go to an LPGA tournament and watch when I was in high school.”

The LPGA Tour Championship will benefit Pediatric Orthopedic Services at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital  - the same hospital where Stacy received her treatment for Scoliosis as a teen.

Stacy was interviewed on Channel 2 in Houston last night! See what she had to say about the LPGA Championship!  http://www.click2houston.com/video/21623701/index.html

For more information about the LPGA Championship visit  http://www.lpgatourchampionship.org/information.php

Good luck Stacy!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/glf/6721368.html

Stacy Lewis