J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Great job Brian, looks fantastic.
J
J
Vollaix review
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@KANZA The website says this shirt is smooth poly instead of poly pique. Can you confirm which it is? Thanks.@Capt. Willie I have news that might make you happy
2) I have done the ‘77 Connors! I even received production earlier this week. It is also poly pique. I was holding them for January 2021 release, or maybe making it part of an Italian 70s/80s collection alongside a few others. no good promo pics yet:
Backside:
David Le
Hall of Fame
Damn, you did us dirty..
Capt. Willie
Hall of Fame
A big THANK YOU to @KANZA for going above and beyond on my order. As has been stated here numerous times Brian provides customer service that is second to none and his clothing is on par with any of the major brands. Plus in my opinion they look WAY COOLER!
I hope I don't bore anyone here but in 1977 my very first real tennis shirt was this Jimmy Connors shirt by Robert Bruce. I believe I wore it for every one of my school tennis matches over the next two years or so. While it didn't bring me much luck I never-the-less loved that shirt. Between that and my T2000 I felt like I was Jimbo every time I went out there. Than one day my mom tossed it in with a load of white laundry and about a gallon of Clorox. The stripes were turned to purple and pink and the shirt itself was left with a very faint pinkish ewe. I have spent the next 40+ years wishing I could have a replacement until now. Thank you @KANZA !!! Can't wait to wear it this weekend.
I hope I don't bore anyone here but in 1977 my very first real tennis shirt was this Jimmy Connors shirt by Robert Bruce. I believe I wore it for every one of my school tennis matches over the next two years or so. While it didn't bring me much luck I never-the-less loved that shirt. Between that and my T2000 I felt like I was Jimbo every time I went out there. Than one day my mom tossed it in with a load of white laundry and about a gallon of Clorox. The stripes were turned to purple and pink and the shirt itself was left with a very faint pinkish ewe. I have spent the next 40+ years wishing I could have a replacement until now. Thank you @KANZA !!! Can't wait to wear it this weekend.
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
great story! he’s done the same with many of the agassi classics for me!
Received my order of Connors 77 and Sampras Archer polo shirts. The quality is outstanding! I very much like that sublimation printing is used rather than vinyl heat transfers, which should make these shirts last for years. With VHT, the design always starts to crack and peel after a couple of years, no matter how careful I am with washing. Thank you @KANZA for giving me the chance to wear the shirts of my childhood tennis idols without needing to pay a mint for vintage shirts.
KANZA
Semi-Pro
a year ago i didn’t think I’d ever be able to make this shirt. I eluded to that somewhere in this thread last spring. The costs for a sample was $1200 at the time. For one polo! This is because of the minimums on the cuffs and collars. However, we’ve done so well over the past year, one of my contacts at the factory offered to help me. they found someone that could make the checker cuffs & collars! It wasn’t easy because they needed to be poly to match the poly body. And so, this project came to life.
The first step was making the stripes, getting the correct measurements, and establishing the right color. The color on this red sample #1 was too light. I was initially happy with my “static electricity“ stripes (More on that later).
the next step was to establish a darker color red and add the checker cuffs and collar on sample #2 (btw, this process takes time. about 5 weeks in between each sample)
so the color is right and the cuffs and collars came out the right size on the first try (saving me a lot of time and money), but I had second thoughts on the stripes, and I needed a second color way...which led us to sample #3
I gave up “static electricity” stripes for smoother, more “wirey” stripes.
and then I had to make sure the dark red color worked with the new stripes in my sample #4 (I made 3&4 at the same time)
hopefully the whole batch will be here this week. Thinking of calling them Blackbeard and Redbeard. That fits the pirate theme.
next step? I’m waiting on a blacked out version to be made into a sample (just a mock-up below)
a big thanks to @brian anderson and my Atlanta friend Travis for their input on this project.
The first step was making the stripes, getting the correct measurements, and establishing the right color. The color on this red sample #1 was too light. I was initially happy with my “static electricity“ stripes (More on that later).
the next step was to establish a darker color red and add the checker cuffs and collar on sample #2 (btw, this process takes time. about 5 weeks in between each sample)
so the color is right and the cuffs and collars came out the right size on the first try (saving me a lot of time and money), but I had second thoughts on the stripes, and I needed a second color way...which led us to sample #3
I gave up “static electricity” stripes for smoother, more “wirey” stripes.
and then I had to make sure the dark red color worked with the new stripes in my sample #4 (I made 3&4 at the same time)
hopefully the whole batch will be here this week. Thinking of calling them Blackbeard and Redbeard. That fits the pirate theme.
next step? I’m waiting on a blacked out version to be made into a sample (just a mock-up below)
a big thanks to @brian anderson and my Atlanta friend Travis for their input on this project.
Challenge Court
Rookie
@KANZA Brian, AMAZING buddy!!! You did it!! You made these shirts and look phenomenal!! I'll definitely have to get some when they become available! Since I still have my original somewhere, but still wear the shorts and my LWPs! The stripes are perfect and the collars and cuffs, amazing!! Hats off to you my friend!!
David Le
Hall of Fame
Um, Agassi? How can you not tell from the iconic shirt?
Show me a photo? Nothing comes up on google for me.
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
brian is truly an artist. well done brian. thanks for bringing these to life for all of us that couldn’t get the original! sign me up for several of each for my collection!
Agassi Winner Australian open 1995
Andre Agassi of the US celebrates his Australian Open men's final...
Andre Agassi of the US celebrates his Australian Open men's final victory over compatriot Pete Sampras 29 January 1995. Agassi beat the top-seeded Sampras 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 , 6-4.
www.gettyimages.it
Also that of 1994.
Probably in a few years Nike could propose them again, given that also this year there should be a replica of that of 1991/1992 for Us Open 2021(except for last-minute cancellations).
Even today, sometimes, when I play I use those shirts and shorts, demonstrating the validity of the fabric used
... And anyway, Brian's t-shirts are practically identical!
Two - three well-known European tennis shopkeepers have confirmed to me that the "Agassi" collection revived at the us open 2020 with modern materials has been snapped up (already in advance!) ... I think Nike has understood that a revival of these collections (those of 1994 and 1995 in particular) would be will incredibly successful
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
just bought 2 red beards and 2 black beards. would buy more for back stock but the wife would notice. will have to sneak in extras in a month or so. looks great bryan!!
I think you forgot to buy the matching denim/dark red and denim/black shorts! I wouldn't have known about it except that I subscribe to the facebook page.
KANZA
Semi-Pro
None at the moment. FedEx and UPS International shipping rates for small businesses are very high. I used to lose money on them, but I negotiated better rates with FedEx and now I break even. After Covid is over I’ll add USPS international back to the shipping options, but for now it’s a strong “no”. There have been many lost international packages and delays from USPS over the past year and it has caused headaches and financial loss. However, I do not plan to discontinue the shorts. They will be a staple item and available for a long time. one guy once told me $50 was too much for shipping for a one $50 polo. So I said “what if I compromise and charge you $75 for the polo, but only $25 for shipping?” I was joking, but he said “That’s great! Thank you!” and bought the shirt.
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
red and black beards showed up today. way to go brian top quality and the design is simply great. thanks for bringing these back to life. will be buying several more with matching shorts next time!
Capt. Willie
Hall of Fame
@KANZA Will this 2012 Olympics be coming out any time in the near future?
David Le
Hall of Fame
Ah dang it, should’ve gotten a pair when I had the chance. Hopefully you can make/sell more. Anyway, looking forward for the late summer line!
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tennisplayer1221
New User
I checked out the great website because of this thread. Ordered two shirts and two shorts on sale. Hope they are as good as they look.
teachingprotx
Legend
ANYTHINH FROM VOLLAIX IS TOP NOTCH ! All there stuff is just unreal quality, seriously the best
Hi, I was noticing that if there was a posibility to make Alka - chocolate copper polo with a slightly lighter brown it would be perfect....
Would it be possible?
teachingprotx
Legend
I’m a lacoste man and have been for years . It’s what I wear 100% of the time . A club I was with a long time ago outfitted all of us in lacoste and it just stuck with me . It’s easier to build on a wardrobe if ya have the staples .. which for me is white tennis shorts . I even hD them hemmed so that they are 5 inch inseam and since I spent quite a bit for 6 pairs to be altered already , lacoste shorts all 6 ) it’s just easier to build on that. Now all that being said ..
VOLLAIX,s raw materials , synthetic blends that they use for both their tops and their shorts are some of the very best I’ve seen. I mean that .. I even have an example ..
Ok so I used to wear a skagen watch .i loved that damn watch . For those that aren’t familiar they made watches that were paper thin and used a chain mesh for their watch bands. Which I LOVED. only one problem , the band after a lot of use and banging it on my teaching cart , the metal band would end up fraying so that the little piece of metal mesh would pop out and snag the absolute hell outta every shirt I owned , it would snag cotton tees , polyester tees and cotton and poly polos too literally every shirt I wore during that short period of about 2 weeks shredded all my stuff, even got a few pair of my shorts. The ONLY shirt that was resistant to shredding was a vollaix polo I had .. matter of fact I still have that polo and have for years now .. I wore it again just last week out to dinner ... my wife who has seen it before said that shirt is nice is it new? I said what are you talking about ..? you’ve washed this thing a million times. She said “I know ! But I thought you had another new one .. and I just assumed that was brand new .. I said nope . Its old but the quality is just unreal huh “..
And if your into retro tennis gear, which you should be cause tennis clothes didn’t get any more cool than they were from 1973 to 1993 literally that time frame was the best of the best as far as the designs.. only one problem. The materials . Back then outside of some euro brands ( fila ellesse, taccini) every thing was cotton. Which sucked as far as performance. It got wet and heavy and you had to bring at least 2 shirts to every match. And there is also another problem ,....fading .......
So ya go out and buy the coolest ebberg adidas polo only to wash it 3 times and it’s faded and looks broke .
Trust me in the 80’s the last thing you wanted to be was faded and a broke ass .
Anyway vollaix is super cool cause the owner who ever they are , are incredibly intuitive on what was so cool about that era and they have so far brought out the coolest of the cool with the lendl, wilander , Sampras , Becker etc... I mean hell they even have the BEST NIKE DESIGN stuff which is my avatar( checkerboard Nike stuff)
Anywat I can’t say enuff good things about the product and the designs and the materials that they use. Good on ya VOLLAIX.
Joey Carney
Adult Head Tennis Professional
Master Racquet Technician
USRSA string instructor
Lifetime Tennis
VOLLAIX,s raw materials , synthetic blends that they use for both their tops and their shorts are some of the very best I’ve seen. I mean that .. I even have an example ..
Ok so I used to wear a skagen watch .i loved that damn watch . For those that aren’t familiar they made watches that were paper thin and used a chain mesh for their watch bands. Which I LOVED. only one problem , the band after a lot of use and banging it on my teaching cart , the metal band would end up fraying so that the little piece of metal mesh would pop out and snag the absolute hell outta every shirt I owned , it would snag cotton tees , polyester tees and cotton and poly polos too literally every shirt I wore during that short period of about 2 weeks shredded all my stuff, even got a few pair of my shorts. The ONLY shirt that was resistant to shredding was a vollaix polo I had .. matter of fact I still have that polo and have for years now .. I wore it again just last week out to dinner ... my wife who has seen it before said that shirt is nice is it new? I said what are you talking about ..? you’ve washed this thing a million times. She said “I know ! But I thought you had another new one .. and I just assumed that was brand new .. I said nope . Its old but the quality is just unreal huh “..
And if your into retro tennis gear, which you should be cause tennis clothes didn’t get any more cool than they were from 1973 to 1993 literally that time frame was the best of the best as far as the designs.. only one problem. The materials . Back then outside of some euro brands ( fila ellesse, taccini) every thing was cotton. Which sucked as far as performance. It got wet and heavy and you had to bring at least 2 shirts to every match. And there is also another problem ,....fading .......
So ya go out and buy the coolest ebberg adidas polo only to wash it 3 times and it’s faded and looks broke .
Trust me in the 80’s the last thing you wanted to be was faded and a broke ass .
Anyway vollaix is super cool cause the owner who ever they are , are incredibly intuitive on what was so cool about that era and they have so far brought out the coolest of the cool with the lendl, wilander , Sampras , Becker etc... I mean hell they even have the BEST NIKE DESIGN stuff which is my avatar( checkerboard Nike stuff)
Anywat I can’t say enuff good things about the product and the designs and the materials that they use. Good on ya VOLLAIX.
Joey Carney
Adult Head Tennis Professional
Master Racquet Technician
USRSA string instructor
Lifetime Tennis
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KANZA
Semi-Pro
@SDN and others: it’s ok to PM if you have a question like this.
I can make it, but the costs will be very high to make you one shirt. Samples cost much more than production items. I do them for a few folks, but not often. When I do, I make sure they understand it’s not cheap. Unfortunately sometimes people want a custom project for $35 and get upset with me when I say “no”.
all of that aside, here’s a cool set I’m putting together for a client. He is having me make it in 4 different colorways, à la Noah 1980s. It’s taken up a lot of my time, but he’s a die hard fan and he’s covering the entire cost of the project:
teachingprotx
Legend
WHOA THIS IS GORGEOUS!
KANZA
Semi-Pro
All of you are super nice to me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
I’m just a fan of tennis clothes. I stumbled in to this in 2014 to make some shirts for myself and I’m still here seven years later. For the first time ever I broke even in 2020, and things are looking the same for 2021. As long as I can make tennis apparel for myself and break even, I’ll continue to do it.
As for quality, I think I lucked out in finding factories that make sporting apparel for teams. As some of you recall back in the 70s and 80s you had to wear team clothing for little league and football and you didn’t get to keep the uniforms. They belonged to the city or county. They had to be reused year after year. That’s a lot of abuse! I think they use more durable fabric and stitching for some of these products in order for them to last as sporting apparel as opposed to the factories that are focused on seasonal fashion apparel. You would think I would know the details, but I’m just lucky to be able to make a few shirts in the first place and have people be excited to wear them.
One last story. I saw a guy weaning one of my shirts at a tennis center last fall. For the first time ever I saw someone I didn’t know wearing one of my shirts! I flipped out, ran to the car, got a few freebies for him, and introduced myself to the guy. He must have thought I was crazy. To me, it was one of the most flattering things that has ever happened.
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
swing by so cal. i wear them every match
Capt. Willie
Hall of Fame
Speaking of different colorways, I recently came across a picture of Agassi wearing the Cincinnati shirt in what appears to be chocolate copper rather than white. As far as I can tell it was worn for just one tournament the 1995 Eurocard Open. I don't know if there would be any demand for this but I thought it looked cool.
tennisplayer1221
New User
Received my Vollaix stuff today. The shirts are great quality and style. I feel like I will be overdressed for tennis. I will ware them for casual and tennis.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Could you do a checkerboard vest from the 1987 line in blue or green?
KANZA
Semi-Pro
I haven’t thought about that. The checkerboard polos sell well, but the sweater vests do not. I’d be worried about whether or not I could sell them, so I wouldn’t make many to start out.
The old school checkerboard vests were really sweatshirts with a design printed on top. It wasn’t very fancy or complicated. I’d have to look into it and see. I would say “no”, but I’ve said no before and changed my mind many times.
Subway Tennis
Legend
Love hearing the stories about the attention to detail and production processes that go into making this gear.
I'm looking forward to placing some orders once the international situation has calmed down and the postage path for the items from U.S. -> Australia is a bit easier to navigate.
I'm looking forward to placing some orders once the international situation has calmed down and the postage path for the items from U.S. -> Australia is a bit easier to navigate.
therecanbeonlyone
Semi-Pro
If only we could trade Vollaix shirts for Breakfast Shirts and somehow split the postage back and forth.
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
anything new coming out? looking to bundle new shirt with another black beard mattie
KANZA
Semi-Pro
Yes during Wimbledon
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
so monday?
KANZA
Semi-Pro
At some point during Wimbledon. Not sure when exactly. A lot going on at my day job, which just turned into a 24/7 job.
I know you like the Agassi stuff, so you won’t be excited. Summer doesn’t have any new Agassi items. Edberg, Cash, Murray instead
Gregory Eche
Rookie
It's a good thing also
