Bringing “Find Your Bold: Even in Winter” to Life for ellesse at Balwin Padel
Winter doesn’t have to mean slowing down — and that’s exactly the message we helped ellesse bring to life at a standout event held at Balwin Padel, Waterfall City, in Johannesburg.
Working with the iconic Italian sportswear brand, we designed and hosted an immersive experience built around ellesse’s new campaign, “Find Your Bold: Even in Winter.” The brief was simple but exciting: capture ellesse’s signature blend of sport and style, and give guests a day that felt less like a launch event and more like a lifestyle to step into.
More Than a Day on Court
We wanted attendees to feel the ellesse world from every angle, not just watch it from the sidelines. The day opened with a styling session, where guests were dressed in bold, layered winter looks that showed off ellesse’s off-court range. It set the tone early: this was a brand that sees winter as a chance to level up your style, not hide from it.
From there, guests settled into a relaxed, social atmosphere with curated catering, the kind of easy connection that sits at the heart of everything ellesse stands for.
Testing Endurance, Then Hitting the Court
Things picked up with a plank challenge, a fun but genuine test of stamina that tied back to ellesse’s focus on resilience and wellbeing, not just performance for its own sake.
The main event followed: an Americano-format padel tournament that had guests rotating partners and opponents throughout. We leaned into a format built for energy and inclusivity over competitiveness, keeping the mood light while still delivering real on-court action. It was less about winning and more about showing up and playing boldly, which is exactly the spirit ellesse wanted guests to walk away with.
A Brand Lived, Not Just Worn
What made the day work was the way it moved seamlessly between fashion, sport, and social connection. Nothing felt like a separate “activation” — it all flowed together into one experience, echoing ellesse’s belief that style is something you live in, on the court and off it.
By the end of the event, the takeaway was clear: play doesn’t need to pause for cold weather, and neither does personal style. It’s an invitation ellesse extends year-round — stay active, show up with intention, and express yourself without hesitation.
We loved bringing this vision to life for ellesse, and we’re already looking forward to what’s next.
ellesse is part of the Blue Falcon Trading (Pty) Ltd portfolio, one of Southern Africa’s leading fashion brand groups, home to Studio 88, Side Step, Skipper Bar, DMD, John Craig, Aeronautica Militare and more, and a member of the Mr Price Group since 2022.
