Ellesse
Pentland Group (Pentland Brands) · Italy
Ellesse is an Italian sportswear brand founded in Perugia in 1959 by tailor Leonardo Servadio, whose initials give the brand its name. Owned by the British Pentland Group, it trades on its ski and tennis heritage and is distributed worldwide largely through licensing partners.
| Founded | 1959, Perugia, Italy |
|---|---|
| Founder | Leonardo Servadio |
| Owner | Pentland Group |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Heritage | Ski and tennis wear |
| Segment | Sportswear and leisurewear |
| Website | ellesse.com |
What is Ellesse?
Ellesse is a sportswear and casual wear brand that describes itself as 'Italian tailored sportswear since 1959'. It belongs to Pentland Brands, part of the family-owned Pentland Group in London, which also owns Speedo and Berghaus. The brand name is a phonetic rendering of 'L.S.', the initials of its founder.
History
Leonardo Servadio, a tailor, founded the company in Perugia, Umbria, on 19 June 1959. Ellesse gained popularity in the 1970s with quilted ski jackets and ski trousers; its 1979 Jet Pant was shown at the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Tennis became central to the brand, and players including Chris Evert wore it at Wimbledon. In the 1980s it worked with designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Pentland became its UK distributor in 1981 and bought 90 per cent of the company in 1994.
Products and positioning
Today Ellesse sells mid-market sportswear, leisurewear and footwear that draw on archive designs from its ski and tennis years. Its logo combines the shape of a tennis ball with the tips of a pair of skis. Marketing has leaned on fashion and culture partnerships, including a collaboration with the YouTube group The Sidemen in 2021 and campaigns with high-profile ambassadors.
Business model and distribution
Pentland manages Ellesse as a global brand but licenses it to partners in many countries, who manufacture and distribute products locally. This allows wide international reach through sporting goods and fashion retailers without the brand owner running all operations itself, complemented by direct online sales in some markets.
Why it matters
Ellesse illustrates how a heritage label can be scaled through a brand management and licensing model. Its revival as a retro sportswear name also reflects wider demand for archive-inspired designs from the 1970s and 1980s.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Ellesse?
Ellesse is owned by the British Pentland Group through its Pentland Brands division. Pentland became the UK distributor in 1981 and acquired a 90 per cent stake in 1994.
Is Ellesse Italian?
Yes. Ellesse was founded in Perugia, Italy, in 1959 by tailor Leonardo Servadio. Although it is now managed from London by Pentland, it still presents itself as an Italian sportswear brand.