WWD: Coco Gauff Celebrates Exclusive Collaboration With American Eagle in Custom Denim Jacket Featuring Her U.S. Open 2023 Victory Speech

By: Julia Teti | Link to article

The Coco Gauff x American Eagle limited-edition collection is available now.

Coco Gauff celebrated the launch of her collection and collaboration with American Eagle in New York City on Wednesday with an intimate dinner. The Grand Slam tennis champion was joined by Dairy Boy founder Paige Lorenze, actress Lola Tung and more.

For the occasion, Gauff opted for a triple denim look, wearing pieces from her collection with the clothing and accessories retailer. The 2023 U.S. Open Women’s Singles champion wore a cropped denim corset, stretch high-waisted crossover stovepipe jeans, and the oversize denim jacket, which featured a callback to Gauff’s U.S. Open win.

On the back of the denim jacket was a quote from Gauff’s speech after she won her first Grand Slam title in New York City on Sept. 9, 2023. “Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” Gauff said. The quote is embossed on the jacket with variations in font and includes butterflies designed around the words.

Guaff’s limited-edition collection with American Eagle features designs created in collaboration with the tennis star. Along with the pieces Gauff wore to the celebration event on Wednesday, other pieces from the collaboration include a pleated denim cargo miniskirt, V-neck sweater tank top and sweater corset tank top.

Along with her own collection with American Eagle, Gauff stars in the retailer’s fall campaign and new brand platform, Live Your Life. While the phrase was introduced by AE roughly 20 years ago, the company felt the sentiment behind the phrase resonates with contemporary consumers, with Gauff as a representative for her generation.

“Coco Gauff, already a tennis icon, is someone who exemplifies that entrepreneurial hustle of Gen Z, with her business interests, with her community impact and her sense of style as well. Coco will be featured in all aspects of the campaign — video, still, outdoor, activations,” Craig Brommers, chief marketing officer of American Eagle, said in an interview.

Gauff signed her first multiyear contract with New Balance in 2018 and has worn several of the brand’s tennis kit designs and shoes for her on-court appearances at Women’s Tennis Association tournaments and Grand Slam events. The tennis player will play to defend her title at the 2024 U.S. Open, which begins Monday and concludes on Sept. 8.