Courting Style: Women’s Tennis Fashion
Tennis has been a popular activity for men and women alike since the 1870s, and developed initially as a casual leisure activity that men and women could partake in together at social gatherings. Early tennis fashion developed out of the styles and fabrics that were already in use for other popular outdoor activities, such as cricket and croquet. Like the game itself, tennis fashion has also seen tremendous changes over the years.
Just as every decade has had notable fashion tastemakers, tennis, too has had its share of trendsetters who dared to wear provocative attire on the court. Drawn from the collections at the Museum of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Courting Style: Women’s Tennis Fashion explores this intersection of tennis and fashion.
With an emphasis on outfits worn by the great iconic players, such as Evonne Goolagong, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, Tracy Austin, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, the exhibition explores developments in tennis fashion design as well as fabrications, trends, major championships, identity, and the players themselves.
From skirt lengths to color combinations and hair accessories, tennis fashions have had broader implications in the fashion world, as they reflect concurrent social and cultural contexts. While men’s tennis fashions have changed at slower rates, women’s tennis clothes are consistently a fiercely debated topic, even in regard to the most seemingly minimal alterations. Historian and author Jaime Schultz believes that “from the moment women first picked up their rackets, their attire inspired questions of decorum, social distinction, physicality, and femininity.”
Also included in the exhibition are dresses, illustrations, and photographs from the Museum’s Ted Tinling Collection & Archive. Tinling designed dresses for a slew of the greatest tennis players from the late 1940s through the early 1980s, and his couture creations were alluring, colorful, revolutionary, and emphasized the unique personality of the player.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame preserves and promotes the history of tennis and celebrates its champions, thereby serving as a vital partner in the growth of tennis globally. Dating to the twelfth century and constantly evolving today, tennis has a storied history rooted in inspirational champions, impactful leaders, and great moments that have influenced history, on and off the court. The Museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame shares the narrative of tennis history from its origins through present day.
Tour Schedule
Courting Style: Women’s Tennis Fashion will tour January 2021 through January 2024. The dates below reflect seven-week exhibition periods. Dates are subject to change; please contact MoreArt@maaa.org or (800) 473-3872 x208/209 for current availability.
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January 28–May 23, 2021
Reading Public Museum
Reading, PA booked -
September 1, 2021-January 7, 2022
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame
Oklahoma City, OK booked -
January 28–March 16, 2022
Marco Island Historical Soceity
Marco Island, FL booked -
April 6–May 25, 2022
Save 50% on rental fees
available -
June 16–August 11, 2022
West Baton Rouge Museum
Port Allen, LA booked -
September 1–October 20, 2022
Refurbishment
Kansas City, MO booked -
November 10, 2022–January 7, 2023
available -
January 28–March 16, 2023
available -
April 6–May 25, 2023
available -
June 16–October 20, 2023
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO booked -
November 10, 2023–January 7, 2024
available
Exhibition Details
Forty-three items, including twenty-eight outfits and dresses
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Content
Fee Includes
Press Kit
Registrar’s Packet
Programming Guide
Gallery Guide
Text Panels
Narrative Labels
Full Insurance
Installation Instructions
Custom-Designed and Built Crates -
Curated By
International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, Rhode Island
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Organized By
International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, Rhode Island
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Out-of-Region Rental Fee
$9800
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In-Region Rental Fee
$5880
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Duration
seven-week display
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Shipping
Fine Art
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Running Feet
20
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Square Feet
1000, some stanchions and pedestals required
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Security
Moderate B
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Number of Crates/Total Weight
estimated nine crates/TBD
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Insurance
The exhibition is fully insured by ExhibitsUSA at no additional expense to you, both while installed and during transit.