Fully titled Tennis and Fashion: The Relationship; Past and Present, this fashion photography project explores the popular sport of tennis and how it has intertwined itself with the world of fashion.

Written by Gift Makhubu, he goes onto explain the project in the following:
Tennis is originally known as an elitist, classy, country-club type of sport. It comes as no surprise that fashion has played an integral part in the history of the sport.
According to Hypebeast, “the game of tennis has always been intrinsically-tied with fashion, players endeavored to look their best while swinging their rackets”.
Mbulelo Faluti interprets what he thinks the relationship between tennis and fashion is from the perspective of a young, black South African fashion trailblazer. With clean, minimalist, retro-futuristic clothing; Mbulelo Faluti redefines the relationship between tennis and fashion.
The fashion industry and the world tennis fraternity have seamlessly merged. With big fashion houses such as Lacoste, Uniqlo, Off-White and UK-based Palace embracing the sport and endorsing the biggest athletes in the sport, fashion and tennis are bound to have a long-lasting relationship.

Speaking on his personal style as well as the inspiration behind it, Faluti says:
“My style is a mixture of vintage and streetwear. It is a clean mixture of minimalistic and retro aesthetics which are mostly thrifted but in great condition. What inspired my style is everything around, including everyday people who are unaware that some of the pieces they are wearing are stylish and most importantly my friend whom I have discussions with about clothing and the future of fashion.”





Co-creative Directed by Gift Makhubu and Mbulelo Faluti
Writer & researcher: Gift Makhubu (@gift.makhubu)
Art director and photographer – Gift Makhubu (@gift.makhubu)
Graphic designer- Prince Mredlana (@prince_thila)
Stylist- Mbulelo Faluti (@mbulelo.faluti)
Model- Mbulelo Faluti (@mbulelo.faluti)