bjorn-borg-and-fila-collaboration-tribute

Bjorn Borg possibly the leading influence on the casual scene and the man who single handed launched the Fila range. the memorable Borg Bj

Bjorn Rune Borg, born 6th June 1956 from Sweden is a former World ranked number 1 tennis player from Sweden. He is widely regarded by observers and other tennis players alike as one of the greatest players in the sports industry. In total he won 11 grand slam singles titles between 1974 and 1981, five at Wimbledon and six at the French open.

From the start of his career Bjorn Borg had caught the attention of many but one in particular would change the way that tennis was to be viewed in popular culture. Fila manager Franchey spotted young Bjorn playing at a tournament in Monte Carlo and was impressed by what he saw. Seeing him play gave Franchey an idea to make him Fila’s future flagship and in 1975 the Bjorn Borg and Fila collaboration became a reality. 

As a matter of course, Franchey let Pier Luigi Rolando design a completely new, significant look for the aspiring youngster. The outcome was the legendary pinstripe polo shirt Borg started wearing in 1976, now well known as the Fila BB1 Polo shirt. Current available colours are White with Navy stripe and Green, Cream with Red stripe and Navy, White with Ocean Blue stripe and navy, and lastly Cream with Black stripe detail.

Fila Settanta Mk1 polos released 2007-2009 called bb1 the classic Borg white blue red stripe only 80scasualclassics 2010

This legendary pinstripe polo had quickly become a well recognised fashion statement that had, basically, defined the look of the 1970’s.

Now that Fila had their new superstar and having won a Wimbledon title also in 1976 without losing a set, Fila saw their profits increase with their presence now being felt in countries such as Japan and the USA, which for a sports fashion brand was an absolute phenomenon. It didn’t take long for Bjorn himself to become a trademark within the Fila Empire, when the signature Borg BJ line was introduced in 1977. Fila and Borg had now melted into an iconic signature badge, the famous Borg BJ logo, (seen above on the BB1 original image). Bjorn now wore Fila throughout the world except for Sweden as he had a contract with Jockey and year by year people saw him winning the final wearing the pinstripe BB1 polo in white with navy collar and green button placket, Borg BJ shorts with green/blue waistband.

He was seen collecting his winning trophies wearing the Fila  Settanta Matchday in red (mark 1) tracksuit top made from 70% acrylic and 30% wool. We currently stock a large range of Fila Settanta Matchday track tops. The most famous of which is the Fila Vintage Settanta Mk1 Kelly Green Borg Matchday, known today as the matchday.

After what seemed like a long four years for the next Fila Bjorn Borg BJ tracksuit top to be released, the Fila Settanta Mk2 came in 1980-81 available in three colour ways navy blue, light blue and red with a white horizontal stripe on the chest and two trims on the left shoulder or red, navy and white with white stripe across the chest and the two trims on the left shoulder along with a stunning terry Fila Settanta Mk2 Polo Shirt since seen on Danny Dyer.

The Fila Terrinda Borg Mk 3 Polo Shirt, another memorable classic, had started to cross over into football casual fashion and proved very popular with casuals alike. 80s Casual Classics currently stocks two of the terrinda polo designs, as pictured below, White with navy collar and royal blue stripes and white with navy collar and red stripes.

Fila Settanta Mk3 Terrinda Polo Shirts back out 2009 only available on www.80scasualclassics.co.uk

Although Bjorn had many years of success through the 70’s and into the early 80’s it was decided that in the 1981 Fila started to phase out the BJ Badge on his track tops, which some say was due to a marketing strategy. He was not often seen with his now trademark Borg BJ Badge, only usually in combination with the Terrinda line of 1982, the last Fila Borg line that also proved to be highly popular among the many fashion crowd and a classic design. Borg officially retired from the ATP tour in 1983, and although he remained to be contracted with Fila, the Italians had some idea his brand wasn't going to last forever and after many years of success together the decision came in 1986 for them to part ways.

The great borg trainer the Diadora Borg Elite the ultimate trainers of casuals the diadora Borg elite white/gold in kangaroo skin from borgs heyday at wimbledon if you cnot affort it many casuals wore the Diadora borg elite trainer in white / navy.