Ellesse Videos: Advertisements, Collaborations and 50th Birthday

Ellesse is more than just a sport brand – it is a piece of contemporary history that connects ski slopes, tennis courts and running tracks. Those who know the iconic advertisements will recognise: there is a lifestyle behind it that has thrilled generations. From the early ski collections to modern collaborations with international stars, the brand has developed a visual language that is instantly recognised worldwide. In this article, we take a deep dive into the world of Ellesse videos, advertisements and brand milestones – and show why the brand’s birthday became a real media event.

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The story behind the logo and the first campaigns

Iconic Ad Campaigns at a Glance

Collaborations that wrote history

The 50th birthday as a major media event

Common questions about Ellesse videos and campaigns

The story behind the logo and the first campaigns

Leonardo “Mantis” Servadio founded Ellesse in Perugia, laying the foundation for one of Europe’s most well-known sport brands. The name comes from his initials L and S, which in Italian are pronounced “elle” and “esse” – a clever trick that made the brand instantly recognisable. The logo remains a true design statement to this day: two red peaks combined with a tennis ball symbolise the dual DNA of the brand – skiing and tennis.

The first Ellesse advertisements were defined by alpine elegance. Snow-covered mountains, flawless ski suits and the feeling of freedom – this was the visual message the brand conveyed from the very beginning. Anyone wanting to make their mark in the fashion world back then, whether as a model in training or an established face, would consider a collaboration with Ellesse a real achievement. The early campaigns focused on authentic athletes rather than highly polished advertising faces – a concept that was far ahead of its time.

From the ski slope to the tennis court

The transition from purely ski clothing to tennis fashion was no accident for Ellesse, but a strategic decision. Tennis was experiencing a huge surge in popularity, and Ellesse was in the right place at the right time. Professional players wore the collection at Grand Slam tournaments, placing the brand in an entirely new context. The advertisements from this era showed athletes in action – sweaty, dynamic, victorious.

For aspiring models interested in becoming a model steps, Ellesse provides an instructive example: The brand used sport models who were actively involved in their respective disciplines. This created credibility that no casting trick can replace. Those who want to know which model measurements and requirements apply to sports campaigns will find a good overview there.

Iconic Ad Campaigns at a Glance

Ellesse has produced an impressive number of advertisements over the decades. The following table provides an overview of the most important campaign eras and their characteristic features:

Campaign Era	Focus	Medium	Special Feature
Founding Phase	Skiwear, Alps	Print & early TV Spots	Authentic athletes as brand ambassadors
Tennis Boom Era	Tennis fashion, Grand Slam	International TV advertisements	Professional players in competition situations
Streetwear Revival	Urban fashion, music	Social Media, YouTube	Collaboration with musicians and influencers
Anniversary Campaign	Heritage & future	Global, Multi-Channel	Retrospective meets modern aesthetics

The range of advertisements shows how flexible Ellesse has been in responding to market changes. While other brands stuck rigidly to a formula, Ellesse repeatedly dared to start anew – without denying its roots. Models who want to take part in such international campaigns should find out about the Minimum Height Model Agency, as sport brands often have specific requirements for their campaign faces.

Music and fashion – the connection in more recent spots

In recent times, Ellesse has enhanced its advertisements with music collaborations. British grime artists, international hip-hop acts and emerging pop stars featured in the campaigns and brought the brand to a completely new target audience. These spots went viral because they combined authenticity with style – exactly what the generation of digital natives demands.

For models wanting to make their mark in this segment, it’s essential to cast a wide net. Those planning to become models for larger sizes, for example, now find far more opportunities with sportswear brands like Ellesse than in the past, as diversity is actively integrated into campaigns. Becoming a curvy model is also a path supported by such progressive brands.

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Collaborations that wrote history

Ellesse has entered into a series of collaborations over time that went far beyond classic licensing deals. The partnerships with well-known designers, sports icons and music stars have continually reinvented the brand. These collaborations were almost always accompanied by high-quality videos that were standalone mini-films.

“Ellesse has never just sold clothing – the brand has always sold a stance. And you can see that in every single advertisement ever produced.”

Notably worth mentioning are the collaborations with the British market, where Ellesse celebrated a real comeback. The videos shot in London reflect the city’s street style and brought the brand back into the charts of the coolest labels. Models interested in such productions in the British capital should find out more about becoming a model in London.

Collaborations with the Fashion World

Ellesse has also expanded its presence on the major fashion runways. Those following the Big 4 Fashion Weeks know that sportswear collaborations have long since arrived on runways around the world. Ellesse was not a latecomer – the brand actively contributed to collections presented at events such as the London Fashion Week and the Milan Fashion Week. Those wishing to participate in such shows as a model can find valuable advice at runway and catwalk tips.

Collaboration with British streetwear labels
Collaboration with music icons worldwide
Appearances at international Fashion Weeks
Limited-edition drops with hype factor
Collaborations with designers from Italy

The 50th birthday as a major media event

Anniversaries offer brands the opportunity to celebrate their own history while also looking to the future. Ellesse celebrated this special milestone with an extensive campaign that combined nostalgia with modernity. High-quality production videos, retrospectives of the most famous advertisements and exclusive collaborations turned the birthday into a media event.

The anniversary campaign attracted talents and models from all over the world. Those working in New York and wishing to participate in such global campaigns should consider becoming a model in New York. In Germany too, there are strong locations for modelling work: Model agency Berlin and Model agency Hamburg are among the most important contact points for campaigns of international sport brands.

The anniversary videos in detail

The anniversary videos of Ellesse were produced with great effort. Archival material from decades was combined with newly shot scenes to create a visual journey through the brand’s history. Special attention was paid to the authenticity factor – real athletes, real emotions, real stories.

Archival material from all creative phases
Interviews with brand icons and companions
Reinterpretation of classic logo designs
Exclusive behind-the-scenes insights
Multi-channel roll-out worldwide

What Ellesse campaign models can learn

Ellesse’s approach to its advertising campaigns offers valuable lessons for aspiring models. Authenticity beats perfection – that is the core message. Anyone preparing for a Casting at CM Models should keep this in mind. Those wanting to prepare for a casting will find comprehensive checklists and insider tips there.

A professional model portfolio for casting is essential. Sport brands such as Ellesse place great value on a versatile portfolio that includes both athletic and stylish shots. Those who want to know how to find a reputable modelling agency or how to contact a modelling agency will find real guidance in the linked resources.

Checklist for aspiring campaign models:

☐ Create a professional model portfolio
☐ Include sport and lifestyle shots in your portfolio
☐ Choose a reputable agency without upfront fees
☐ Carefully select your casting outfit
☐ Build and maintain a social media presence
☐ Conduct brand research before each casting
☐ Watch reference videos of relevant brands

Anyone wondering whether a model agency charges fees or how to find a model agency without fees should read the relevant articles – especially when applying for international campaign roles, this is an important topic. By the way: Sport brand campaigns are ideal for modelling as a side job, as the filming days are often easily planned.

Common questions about Ellesse videos and campaigns

What kinds of videos does Ellesse produce for its campaigns?

Ellesse produces classic TV commercials, social media content for platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, behind-the-scenes videos, collaboration drops and elaborate brand documentaries. Particularly for anniversary campaigns, archive material is combined with newly produced content to tell the brand’s story.

Who are typical brand ambassadors in Ellesse commercials?

Ellesse traditionally focuses on active athletes from the skiing and tennis fields, but has also integrated music stars, influencers, and international fashion models into its campaigns with the streetwear revival. The selection is always based on authenticity and brand values – credibility comes before mere fame.

Where were the most famous Ellesse adverts filmed?

The early campaigns were shot in the Alps, later followed by locations on tennis courts around the world. With the streetwear revival, urban locations such as London, Milan and New York came to the forefront. Today, filming takes place in multiple locations to authentically address different markets.

How can a model take part in an Ellesse campaign?

The classic route goes through a reputable model agency that maintains contacts with sport brands. A complete portfolio, a sporty appearance and ideally experience in sports or lifestyle campaigns are essential. Direct castings usually take place through the brand’s official channels or via specialised agencies. Those who want to apply now can do so directly via the Apply now form.