Year Two: FIT Students Honor the US Open with Ball Gowns Made of Wilson Tennis Balls

Check out the incredible ball gowns FIT students designed with repurposed Wilson US Open tennis balls!

For the last 45 years, every point at the US Open has been scored with a Wilson tennis ball. Unparalleled consistency and performance make it the gold standard in tennis.

That partnership extends beyond sport and into the fashion world as, for the second consecutive year, Wilson has partnered with IHG Hotels & Resorts and the Fashion Institute of Technology for a contest in which FIT students design “ball gowns” in celebration of the marquee Grand Slam event.

Each gown was designed using Wilson’s US Open tennis balls, and finalists were selected based on their designs. The four runner-up dresses will be on display at Wilson’s Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle New York, NY 10019) and SoHo (594 Broadway SoHo, NY 10012) retail locations for the duration of the US Open (Aug. 22 - Sept. 10). The first-place dress will be on display at Wilson’s store on the US Open grounds.

Let's introduce you to the talent behind the ball gowns with a Q&A:

1st Place: Daniel Bochkov

Wilson: When designing this specific dress, where did you pull inspiration from?

DB: Every detail of the dress is meant to reflect the essence of the sport.

I chose white fabric to honor the traditional outfits worn by tennis athletes and to symbolize the purity and restraint that characterizes this elegant game. I wanted the dress to be sporty but with sophistication and grace.

The main concept of the dress were the symbols associated with tennis itself. The lines on the dress simulate the grid on the court, like the playing arena. This detail gives the dress dynamism and movement, as if a game of tennis is being played right on the surface.

My design is not only a fashion statement, but also an homage to the sport that inspired me to create it.

Wilson: In your opinion, how does sport influence fashion?

DB: Fashion trends in recent years reflect the increasing influence of sports style.

The sports world is definitely a source of inspiration for the fashion industry, providing innovation. Today, the fashion industry refers to sport not only as physical activity, but also a sociocultural phenomenon.

Sportswear is no longer limited to training and sporting events. Sporty style elements are integrated into everyday fashion, creating a unique combination of comfort, style, and functionality. Sports bring freedom, and functionality to fashion, making it accessible and appealing to a broader audience.

2nd Place: Dvisqua Daniel

Wilson: How did you get into fashion and design?

DD: Fashion design for me was innate. I can recall as a little child growing up, I would revamp old clothing that my grandmother had lying around and created my own designs for my dolls. I would use my grandmother’s needle and thread— as she taught me how to thread the needle and sew them together.

From then on, I was in love with fashion design and when I attended Cayon High School, I studied Clothing and Textiles. I received additional support from my aunt, who provided the necessary equipment, like my first sewing machine and other materials needed to improve my skill sets and knowledge of fashion and construction.

Wilson: When designing this specific dress, where did you pull inspiration from?

DD: The inspiration behind the design of my dress came from Serena Williams. Growing up, Serena was one of my greatest role models, and she remains a role for the rest of the African-American community.

She taught me by being determined and always striving for the best, it can result in making a name for yourself. In 2014, Serena Williams wasn't quite herself and lost a game then fell a month after.

Despite the challenges, Serena was determined, and over the course of 379 days she didn’t lose a Grand Slam singles match. In support of such a great achievement, I decided to add 28 tennis balls to my garment as tribute to her success. Additionally, the net fabric in my dress represented her tennis rackets.

3rd Place: Zihan Hong

Wilson: When designing this specific dress, where did you pull inspiration from?

ZH: I was very excited when I found out I was selected as a finalist. When I was younger, I remember watching a tennis match with the Chinese champion, Li Na and it left a deep impression on me. She attacks and defends like a queen on the court. This match inspired me to design a "queen’s gown" of sports.

Wilson: In your opinion, how does sport influence fashion?

ZH: I think sports have always played a key role in the development of fashion. Many fashion brands take inspiration from sports uniforms and incorporate them into streetwear or high fashion.

Fashion is a derivative of culture, and sports play an influential role in culture.

4th Place: Jiin Jung

Wilson: How do you stay motivated when given a challenging task such as creating a dress made of tennis materials?

JJ: I'm trying to break free from fixed ideas. While using unfamiliar fabrics and themes, it's been challenging to come up with unique ideas all at once. To draw inspiration from various sources, I searched for references and then created numerous designs, which went through many revisions.

Wilson: When designing this specific dress, where did you pull inspiration from?

JJ: I drew inspiration directly from the sport itself. I designed the dress by taking inspiration from the tennis ball, the net on the tennis court. I incorporated the curved white lines on the tennis ball and the color of the tennis ball itself on the top of the dress, as I believe they instantly evoke tennis. Additionally, recognizing the significance of the tennis net in matches, I used elements of strings on the skirt.

5th Place: Grace Cooper

Wilson: When designing this specific dress, where did you pull inspiration from?

GC: I am so inspired by Billie Jean King, a powerful athlete who has taken such strides forward for women in sports. As a female athlete myself, sports influence a lot of what I design and I’m constantly looking back through archives, studying past garments. I took inspiration from traditional tennis outfits - like the neckline and fabrics, and blended it with color references to the blue of the court and the official art of the US Open.

Wilson: So you’ve made a dress inspired by a tennis ball. If you were tasked to create another dress inspired by a different sports ball, which would you choose and why?

GC: I’d have to stay loyal to my sport and choose a soccer ball. I think there’s so much opportunity with the hexagonal and pentagonal shapes of the 32 panels, and to be able to rely on vintage soccer jerseys and kits for inspiration would really be so much fun.

I just had a runway show today with a piece I designed that was inspired by muscles and soccer, and it was the most fun I had designing a collection.

Learn HOW OUR US OPEN TENNIS BALLS ARE MADE

Updated August 24, 2023