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Ever wonder how the term “tennis bracelet” originated? Well, it all took off after tennis star Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during a U.S Open match. It flew off her wrist and play was halted as they looked for her accessory. While diamond bracelets have certainly been around well before 1978, the term has gone down in history. Four decades later, the woman who started it all is creating a very special collection to commemorate the moment.
Ahead of the start of the 2022 US Open, Evert, 67, teamed up with Monica Rich Kosann on a trademark-branded line, titled, “The Tennis Bracelet -CE. Born 1978. Finally Authentic.”
“I’m so excited to finally have a voice in this fine jewelry category and translate the moment I lost my bracelet at the US Open in 1978 into a tennis bracelet collection for a new generation,” Evert tells GRAZIA USA. “It has been a dream project of mine for a long time and it’s finally here!”
Kosann and Evert created pieces directly inspired by Evert’s description of what happened during that iconic moment. “I remember everything about that day. The green court. The white lines. My diamond bracelet and the dripping sweat of competition,” Evert said in the release.
Together, Kosann and Evert created 13 bracelets ranging from sterling silver with white sapphires or rock crystal stones, to 18k yellow/white gold bracelets with white diamonds. Every single style incorporates an element of Evert’s story into the design (and contains “CE” and “MRK” markings). There’s a pear-shaped diamond or sapphire drop for the bead of sweat, an emerald or green tsavorite accent for the green court and natural diamonds or sapphires for the white lines.
“It was such an honor and so much fun to work with Chris on this collection! Kosann tells GRAZIA USA. “Chris was familiar with our brand and her team reached out to see if we would be interested in collaborating with her to create a tennis bracelet collection. She wanted to work with an American woman designer to bring her story to light. I was so flattered and humbled. I mean, she is an icon and trailblazer in the world of tennis and women’s sports!”
Evert loved making history (again) with this collection. “I had the best time bringing this origin story to light with Monica! I loved working with Monica and her team throughout the branding and design process to make this tennis bracelet collection truly authentic,” says Evert.
To truly ace the collaboration, the campaign (shot by Danielle Kosann) was inspired by 1970s and 1980s tennis fashion and most of the wardrobe featured in the photos are genuine pieces owned and worn by Chris Evert during her career.
Check out the collection and shop the pieces, below.
