Meet the Designer Behind Marta Kostyuk’s US Open Tennis Outfits

4 min read

There’s no doubt that the tennis court has become a major platform for the sport’s biggest stars to showcase their sartorial chops. From Naomi Osaka’s custom ensembles at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon to Jannik Sinner’s covetable Gucci duffel bag, it’s clear that stepping onto the courts at a Grand Slam in something you love is just as important as your game. “You want the players to feel like the best version of themselves so they can go out there and do what they do best,” Joelle Michaeloff, Wilson’s global chief creative officer, said on a phone call with ELLE.com. Of course, it’s not just the top athletes who want to look and feel good on the court, but everyone else, too. That’s where Michaeloff steps in.

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Looking at Wilson’s latest batch of tennis apparel—for both on and off the court—it’s clear that Michaeloff is onto something with the brand, creating pieces that feel equal parts technical and stylish. When asked about her design process, she simply says, “We always start with the athlete.” She goes on to explain that if the brand is creating pieces that athletes like Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk—currently ranked No. 11 in the Women’s Tennis Association—can feel confident in, then the everyday recreational player will be happy as well. “If we start with the most high-performance, elite athlete, and we know that we’re solving for everything they need, then it’s definitely going to work for everybody.”

Michaeloff has been working with Kostyuk to create ensembles that not only express her personal style but also allow her to take on Grand Slams and other major tournaments with complete confidence. “When we talk to Marta, we are always asking her how she wants to look and feel on the court. We’re always in conversation about what’s working, what’s not working, what she wishes she had.” These conversations between the athlete and designer result in performance-driven silhouettes that feel as stylish as they do functional—especially for someone like Kostyuk, who loves fashion as much as she loves tennis. Together, the two will collaborate to create pieces like Kostyuk’s bridal-inspired ensemble for Wimbledon, which featured a white lace dress with an open front and a coordinating tank, and felt delightfully fresh against the green backdrop of the grass courts.

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“That one was unrestrained, other than the color had to be white, and we really got to talk about what haven’t we seen on the court before? How do we reinvent the skirt? How do we think about the kit differently?” Michaeloff shares. “We just had a lot of fun creating it.” Unsurprisingly, styles like these also resonate with fans watching the matches. (Wilson also released a limited-edition run of Kostyuk’s exact look, which sold out immediately.)

According to Michaeloff, who’s constantly asking for feedback throughout the design process, the biggest compliment she can receive on her styles from players like Kostyuk is that they felt nothing or didn’t even think about the product, allowing them to compete without distractions. “If you’re thinking about the length of your skirt or your bra not supporting you, or your ball slipping out, you would be thinking about your clothes, which means you’re taking time and attention away from your game,” she says. “They’re not thinking about it, and that’s where the confidence piece comes in.”

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Tennis style, of course, goes well beyond the courts, but Michaeloff applies the same principles to Wilson’s technical styles as she does to its lifestyle pieces, always providing a solution to a problem. “Nobody needs another [piece of clothing], but when you’re solving for something that really answers a question, then it doesn’t just become more stuff—it is actually more valuable,” she explains. “So, even with our lifestyle product, it may look like a really cute sweater, but it’s blended with COOLMAX yarn… It might look like a lifestyle piece you can wear every day, and that’s the whole point. But we’re still answering the question of how do we make something better and made for an athlete?”

While most might not be competing for a major Grand Slam title, Michaeloff ensures Wilson’s designs are up for the challenge in anything where performance and style come into play. Shop the latest pieces—including styles worn by Kostyuk—from the brand below.

Wilson Laser Cut Pleat DressWison Court Seamless TankWilson Victory Tennis SkirtCredit: WilsonWilson Contrast Scoop Neck DressWilson Godet Tennis SkirtCredit: WilsonWilson Headliner Seam-Sealed DressWilson Varsity V-Neck SweaterWilson Davenport Woven PopoverAmersports Astor Classic Polo ShirtWhy Trust ELLE

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