DSSLR - A Line Drawn in Motion

DSSLR
*Christoph A. Dassler Returns to the Court

written MONICA DE LUNA

There is a quiet intensity to the way Christoph A. Dassler speaks about design. A sense of continuity runs through his words — a rhythm that connects history with vision, precision with pulse. From Herzogenaurach, the cradle of German sportswear, Dassler steps forward with a new name: DSSLR. It reads like an abbreviation of legacy itself — clean, concise, timeless.

Launched in August 2025, DSSLR by Christoph A. Dassler arrives as a sport and lifestyle brand defined by clarity and conviction. It enters the world with a tennis collection built for the demands of movement, elegance, and responsibility. Each piece aligns with the spirit of today — a moment where performance, sustainability, and creative design form one continuous gesture.

DSSLR On Court Women / off white

DSSLR On Court Women + Men

“We are convinced that high standards and low environmental impact can go hand in hand,” says Christoph A. Dassler. The statement carries a sense of commitment, a belief shaped through decades of family innovation and a personal return to his origins. “For me, it was a goal matured over decades to return to the world of sports and fashion,” he adds. DSSLR becomes the realization of that journey — a modern system of values, woven through fabric, form, and philosophy.

At the core lies a dedication to materials. Up to 95 percent of each garment consists of recycled fibers and organic cotton sourced from Portugal. The fabrics move with the body, cooling, protecting, breathing, and maintaining a sense of purity through construction. The On-Court line expresses design intelligence that frames athletic performance as aesthetic experience. UV protection, odor control, and targeted sweat-zone ventilation define a new level of refinement.

The silhouettes are architectural in their intent — cut to mirror the lines of play, engineered for the body’s dynamic rhythm. Each detail is the result of collaboration between Dassler and a team of designers who have shaped collections for global sport houses. Together, they sculpt pieces that feel disciplined yet effortless, merging function, design, and sustainability into a single visual and tactile language.

Beyond the court, the Off-Court line extends the same integrity into daily life. The designs reveal an understanding of form that feels both global and individual — defined by material quality, surface clarity, and details that speak through structure rather than decoration. Every seam, every tonal shift carries intention. It is fashion that continues the movement.

DSSLR Founder / Christoph A. Dassler

“We are convinced that high standards and low environmental impact can go hand in hand.”

Christoph A. Dassler

Within the structure of DSSLR lies a deeper narrative, the brand builds an ecosystem where creativity, economy, and collaboration coexist within a framework of values. Dassler describes it as a culture — one that honors craftsmanship while inviting new ideas to thrive. It is an inclusive vision shaped by heritage yet oriented toward the future of sport and design.

As CEO and founder, Christoph A. Dassler channels the spirit of his lineage without nostalgia. His grandfather Rudolf Dassler once defined an era of innovation; Sassler continues that momentum by transforming the definition of quality itself. In DSSLR, quality becomes moral, aesthetic, and material all at once. It speaks to a generation seeking transparency in how things are made and what they stand for.

Every element of production follows this logic. The brand’s partners and suppliers hold environmental certifications; every collaboration aligns with the brand’s sustainability standards. “Behind every product stands a partnership with an industry-leading design and production team,” Dassler explains. His tone suggests pride and precision — an awareness that true innovation exists within the details.

The launch of DSSLR feels contemporary and timeless, it celebrates a discipline where sportswear meets couture precision and where sustainability becomes a natural constant. It arrives from a place where heritage fuels creativity — where each garment becomes a tool of movement, a symbol of modern responsibility.

DSSLR On Court Women / sky captain blue

DSSLR On Court Men / off white

Through DSSLR, Christoph A. Dassler has built a language that speaks to the new era of sport-fashion — one defined by excellence, integrity, and clarity of purpose. The collection carries an understated strength — a balance of performance and presence. It represents a future where clothing is created with awareness, where every fiber participates in a larger dialogue between body, design, and the world around it.

discover more www.dsslr.de
all visuals (c) DSSLR

André x ELHO - Capsule Collection 2025

André x ELHO
*André Tags the Mountain

written MONICA DE LUNA

André in Lisbon, spray can in hand, the smell of paint in cold air, no studio, no clean desk, just ten ice-pink bombers waiting like empty walls. He says, “Today I’m painting live on 10 jackets. I hope I don’t mess them up, we only have those 10 pink jackets available! They will become unique art pieces.”

Jackets as canvas, fabric as skin, performance stitched and already humming with neon memory. ELHO hands him carte blanche. He doesn’t rehearse, he sprays directly, instinct over plan. Mr. A appears, one wink, one wide eye, loops curling, pink field grinning back.

André x ELHO FW25/26
Unique art cap

André x ELHO FW25/26
Unique art jackets

A capsule, October 2, André x ELHO. Limited, numbered, but not frozen. Phantom performance bomber, hoodies, long sleeves, tees, beanies, the collection carrying André’s world, graffiti lines wrapped in insulation, warmth inside the grin. He says, “Clothes should make you feel good and happy, and serve as protection from the grey outside world.” Protection and mischief in the same seam.

ELHO’s history runs under it, a ghost from 1948, slopes of Germany, Switzerland, neon seasons that lived until 1993, buried, dug up again by Donald Schneider with Claudia beside him. Donald once pulling strings at Vogue Paris, once launching collaborations that cracked fashion open. Now ELHO as “Freestyle,” jackets as silhouettes, down puffers with recycled feathers, Primaloft Bio, Sorona skins, boomerang zippers slicing pockets like hidden doors. He says to André, take it, tag it, burn pink into snow.

André remembers Sweden. “I’ve always liked skiing. I grew up in Sweden, and in winter skiing was just a way to get from A to B. I’m not a champion skier, but every time I go up a mountain and ski down a slope, it reminds me of the fun days of my childhood.” Childhood in tracks of snow, movement as necessity, now returning as art.

The new ELHO calls itself high-tech, fresh, ready for minus twenty, but André looks at it and sees a wall. Pink field, black grin, sprayed live. “In graffiti, freestyle means you don’t follow the strict rules of an alphabet or the straight lines of a letter. You just follow your instinct and let it guide you into making an abstract painting.” Jackets become freestyle and snow becomes a surface.

Donald Schneider
Creative Director at ELHO Streetwear / seen by Henrik Nielsen

“ELHO Freestyle to become the #1 innovative outdoor style brand for the next generation.”

Donald Schneider

Inside the collection the colors glow—ice pink, scarlet red, neon purple, neon green, black, military green. The Astro down puffer holds 90% recycled down, 10% feathers. The Nova and Phantom shell layers breathe, waterproof, cape twist, patches for self-expression. Jet pants, fleece sets, parachute cuts, names like Hill, Satellite, Cure, Fire. André’s capsule slides among them, painted, tagged, turned into a limited run of objects (acutal art pieces to wear) carrying his alter ego. He laughs, “There’s a lot of Mr. A everywhere, both big and small.”

To wear it is to enter his wink. He says, “Just wear the jacket and make it your own.” A simple command, nothing dressed in explanation. Pink with black, neon grin, a slope or a street, it doesn’t matter. Style comes from outsiders, misfits, people daring to be different. “I love when people are a bit different from the mainstream. I’ve always been fascinated by outsiders and misfits. I like when people dare to be different.”

André speaks of hotels too, Amour, Grand Amour, Le Baron, spaces of smell, sound, touch, people brushing into each other. “Creating places where people can come together, thinking about the sound, the smell, and how people interact, is part of my art.” Jackets and nightclubs, walls and hotels, always surfaces, always extensions. A hotel in the mountains, uniforms in ELHO, a ski team in pink, medals under a grin. He imagines it without hesitation. Love runs through it. “Love is what keeps me going.” Not a slogan, more like a rhythm under every spray, every loop of paint. Even in the Alps, even on a neon slope, love keeps him. He wants surprise, humor, small disruptions. He wants Mr. A everywhere, always winking, always smiling. He says, “I try to go through life with a wink and a smile, like my alter ego Mr. A.”

The André x ELHO collection stands in that place. No need for nostalgia, no need for comparison. Just jackets, pink, painted, sprayed live, turned into unique art pieces, worn with jeans, boots, skis strapped, mountains dropping. “I love the neon pink winter jacket with the black Mr. A on the back. It combines my two favorite things: Mr. A and pink.”

André x ELHO FW25/26
lookbook / seen Felix Krüger

André x ELHO FW25/26
lookbook

And maybe next, a hotel on a mountain, maybe a ski team, maybe another canvas. For now, ten pink bombers hold his spray, hoodies hum with his grin, ELHO carries the capsule into winter season 2025/2026. The slopes are ready, the streets too. He says, “I’ve always seen my art as something that belongs to everyone, that everyone can interpret and make their own.” The capsule is exactly that. Yours, his, pink, sprayed, warm, grinning. Enjoy!

ELHO FW25/26 Campaign / seen by Tobias Wirth

discover more www.ELHOfreestyle.com
all visuals (c) ELHO Freestyle

ELHO Freestyle *Summer Collection 25

ELHO FREESTYLE by DONALD SCHNEIDER
*Where Mountain Meets Urban Style

written SARAH ARENDTS

Under the theme Style Your Own Experience, ELHO Freestyle launched its highly anticipated Summer Collection. Merging outdoor performance with avant-garde design and bio-based materials, this new line specifically appeals to the style-conscious younger generation.

Donald Schneider, Creative Director of ELHO Freestyle, explained the concept in an exclusive interview with LE MILE Magazine: “Even though we are a 75-year-old heritage brand, we relaunched with a totally innovative new look to excite the new generation. Our products are designed for mountain performance yet suitable for everyday urban style. You can freely combine them—whether you're wearing hiking boots, high heels, sneakers, or flip-flops.”

ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection

ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection

Athlete-Inspired Innovation with Andri Ragettli

Freestyle Ski champion and social media sensation Andri Ragettli played an essential role in shaping this collection. Known for his daring stunts and distinctive style, Ragettli embodies the ELHO Freestyle spirit. According to Donald Schneider, "From our first conversation, it was clear how deeply Andri cares not only about his performance but also his style and appearance. He found that no existing outdoor brand truly catered to his aesthetic, even resorting to custom-made performance pants by a tailor."

This detailed feedback became instrumental in shaping ELHO’s products. For instance, Ragettli emphasized practical considerations like relocating ankle zippers to the outside of pants to withstand the wear and tear from high-impact freestyle skiing tricks. Andri Ragettli's hands-on involvement ensures each garment meets the rigorous demands of professional sports and urban fashion. The athlete rigorously tests each piece, wearing them during intense training and also during travel and city life, underscoring the collection’s versatility.

An Iconic Artistic Collaboration: Jean-Michel Basquiat

An extraordinary highlight of ELHO’s 2025 summer collection is the collaboration featuring the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Renowned for his powerful, raw artistic expression, Basquiat’s iconic artworks have been translated into compelling black-and-white graphic prints on performance bomber jackets and shell pants. Donald Schneider reflects on the personal connection and inspiration behind the collaboration: “I knew Jean-Michel personally during my years in New York. His art remains incredibly impactful and resonates deeply with today's youth, who have rediscovered his pioneering spirit. His bold style perfectly complements our fusion of streetwear sensibility and outdoor functionality.”

The capsule includes standout pieces such as the Echo Bomber Jacket, distinguished by its bold black-and-white Basquiat print, creating statement looks that transition seamlessly from ski slopes to urban adventures.

Donald Schneider
Creative Director at ELHO Streetwear
seen by Henrik Nielsen

“Just look at how sports embraced urban style and innovative design—and it turned out to be their biggest revolution. We are convinced that this has to happen with outdoor wear too.”

Donald Schneider speaks with Sarah Arendts
for LE MILE .DIGITAL - Spring 2025

ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection

ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection

Sustainable Style: Durability Meets Ethical Fashion

Sustainability remains central to ELHO Freestyle’s design ethos. Rejecting fast fashion, the collection emphasizes longevity, durability, and the use of bio-based materials. Each piece, such as the ultralight Valley bomber jacket made from biobased nylon or the Zephir Pants inspired by traditional Japanese martial arts, is meticulously crafted from robust, eco-friendly materials sourced responsibly. These garments promise lasting quality, comfort and represent a conscious commitment to resource preservation.

The Return of an Iconic Heritage Brand

Donald Schneider, the visionary behind ELHO Freestyle's relaunch, brings an illustrious career in fashion innovation, previously serving as Art Director at French Vogue and pioneering global designer collaborations, notably Karl Lagerfeld x H&M. Schneider sees enormous potential in redefining outdoor apparel, which traditionally has struggled to embrace innovative style and urban aesthetics. “Our goal with ELHO Freestyle is clear: to reclaim our position as a pioneering brand,” Schneider explains. “Historically, ELHO was always ahead of its competitors, breaking conventional boundaries. Today, our ambition remains the same. We observe how sportswear has revolutionized urban style; now, it's time for outdoor apparel to undergo the same transformation. This is precisely the vision behind our current collection.”

ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection

The market response has already been overwhelmingly positive, resonating especially with global tastemakers in cities like Seoul, Berlin, Zurich, and Paris. Influencers, stylists, musicians, and athletes alike have embraced the brand’s new direction, affirming its relevance and appeal. The ELHO Freestyle Summer Collection 2025 is available online!

discover more www.ELHOfreestyle.com

all visuals (c) ELHO Freestyle

Signature Clo *Singular Vision

SIGNATURE CLO
*A Language of Form and Presence

written MONICA DE LUNA

Signature Clo approaches design as an architectural discipline, where fabric becomes structure and movement shapes identity. Each piece is engineered with precision, using weight and proportion to define space. Cloth is a framework for expression.

The oversized hoodie establishes form through deliberate volume, reinforcing its presence with carefully weighted seams. The heavyweight tee interacts with the body's posture, shaping an interplay between material and wearer. Garments evolve with every movement, recording the rhythm of daily life.

Signature Clo
Sweater

Signature Clo
Ego Death Hoodie

Each stitch follows a calculated design process. Textures react to touch, fibers adjust to wear, and silhouettes refine themselves over time. This approach transforms fabric into an evolving canvas of lived experience. Signature Clo operates with an acute awareness of proportion. Every cut, every seam carries intent. Garments are designed for wear and interaction. They align with posture, adjust to the body's stance, and move with fluidity. The structured hoodie is crafted with reinforced stitching to maintain its sculptural integrity. Fabric is selected based on density and responsiveness, ensuring each piece carries presence. Textile composition is studied in detail—weight and weave dictate drape, while seam placement controls balance.

These garments are built for longevity. Over time, fibers mold to the wearer, creating a distinct relationship between material and motion. The more they are worn, the more they adapt, deepening their connection with the individual. Signature Clo sources premium materials that support function and form. Heavy cotton blends provide structure, allowing garments to hold their intended shape. Tactile surfaces invite interaction, shifting with light and movement. Fabric selection is integral to the design philosophy. The oversized hoodie is developed with dense textiles that offer resistance while maintaining comfort.

The heavyweight tee is composed of finely woven fibers that respond to air and motion. Every material is chosen for its ability to retain its silhouette while adapting to daily use. This approach ensures that garments remain visually and physically substantial. Layers of texture enhance depth, while expertly placed stitching reinforces each seam. The result is a collection that stands independently, yet integrates seamlessly into the wearer’s experience.

Signature Clo emphasizes the tactile nature of design. Fabric reacts to movement, adjusting with subtle shifts in motion. Textures hold memory, shaping themselves through repeated interaction. The oversized hoodie anchors itself through measured weight distribution.

Seams follow natural lines of motion, allowing unrestricted movement while maintaining a structured profile. The heavyweight tee extends outward, balancing volume with precision. Each piece carries an embedded physicality—designed to be experienced and observed.

Signature Clo
Hoodie

Signature Clo
T-Shirt

Signature Clo constructs garments that are intentional and evolving. Light moves across their surfaces, emphasizing their depth and dimension. Textiles absorb and reflect their environment, interacting with space in tangible ways. The collection exists at the intersection of design and experience. Silhouettes expand and contract with wear, becoming an extension of movement. Each garment is a study in proportion, a composition of fabric and form designed to endure. Signature Clo refines the language of streetwear, sculpting a vision where structure defines presence, and fabric carries identity.

Signature Clo: The Art of Constructed Motion.

discover more www.signature-essentials.com

all visuals (c) Signature