The Tamesis
“The first thing I wanted was a functional earmuff that would hold my earbuds in place while I warmed up but still feel cool,” Osaka said of how the collaboration began. “That piece became a little pillar of the collection.” Outfitting athletes proved to be an exciting new challenge for Habana, as he is more accustomed to dressing stars on the music stage or on the catwalk. But in his work for the world of tennis, the creative also sees his usual way of working. “Naomi walking onto the court is no different than a model walking down the runway,” he said. “The look had to be able to make an instant impact, tell a story and generate interest. The biggest challenge was designing pieces that could be worn seamlessly on and off so her transition into the game didn’t feel cumbersome.”
Since then, Osaka and Havana have developed the story and come up with items like gloves and grills to further help her get into game-ready shape. “The pieces will evolve over the course of the game. Depending on how I’m feeling that day, you’ll see different combinations,” Osaka said. “I love the finger gloves with the claw detail. You can wear them all together or separate them so each piece becomes its own little layer of armor. It’s fun but still powerful.”
Habana adds that he has always viewed his jewelry as a form of protection, so it was only natural that Osaka’s custom gear would have the same spirit. “Our jewelry has always had an armor-like quality,” he said. “In sports, athletes bring aggression and competitive energy to the field, and the shapes of our jewelry reflect that same sense of combat – balancing offensive and defensive elements.”
As Osaka continues to wear the pieces over the next month — after Indian Wells, she heads to the Miami Open, which kicks off on March 15 — she hopes they will spark some conversation among tennis and fashion fans. “I can’t control how people interpret things, but I hope these works spark curiosity,” Osaka said. “Maybe someone sees them and is curious about the designer, or wonders why they’re on the tennis court. I love when fashion creates those little moments of intrigue.”
