Fila Vintage ­ White Line & White Rock 2006 ­ 2008

Early 2006 Fila re-appeared with a brand in the UK "Fila Vintage- White Line" a return to the styles associated with what many know as the "Simple Square F Badge" from the recognised Borg 80s Casuals era. On all accounts it was pure coincidence that a cult like DVD release The Business directed by Nick Love was to hit the stores. The Business DVD arrived on the shelves January 2006 giving a massive nod to glamorise the 80s Casuals with Fila, Tacchini, Ellesse, Diadora, Lois etc etc. Key Borg and Mcenroe casual styles were on parade like a late 70s early 80s centre court show. Fila Vintage styles appeared in March 2006 in very few UK stores which saw certain stockist sell out fast. While many casual collectors had already been buying real vintage Borg bj Settanta jackets at £500+ Danny Dyer wearing two navy variations simply fuelled this even further and whilst Fila vintage did not revist this style until 2007 prices continued to soar on Ebay.

Sergio Tacchini by contrast had gained early links with the film with all key styles arriving in stores throughout 2006. Fila set about launching many early day 70s styles associated with the white line era without matching key film styles. However by 2007 / 08 this may have been marketing genius or a fluke, Unlike Tacchini with Fila there has always been an original key track style unreleased fetching unbelievable sums on Ebay and then fuelling great re-release demand. Fila is still a love affair brand for many buyers just like it was 70s-80s with now many new modern day collectors who can now afford to collect. Below are some highlights of the 2006 story so far:

The Settanta Borg 1 BJ Jacket - known as the Matchday. The real arrival of Fila vintage came late 2006 ­ 2 key styles as worn in The Business arrived by now many film lovers and ex casuals had been on the look for classic Borg and Vilas tracks. The classic Bjorn Borg Fila Bj Settanta Mk1 known today as the Matchday jacket a wool mix jacket short in the body like a knitted zip thru sweatshirt. Whilst worn by Danny Dyer in Navy in The Business and regular yearly reminders of Borg wearing red on Wimbledon footage. This was to become the re-issue track to re-establish Fila in the market and soon sold out across the UK.

An advertising campaign "adored by many, worn by few" saw ltd editions styles sell out and the ebay craze continued as demand could still not been met, by now modern day remakes were already seen as collectables that will more than hold their value.

The success of the Settanta / Matchday track jacket has seen it permanently feature in the Fila Vintage white line range by early 2007 an even better modern day fit re-working arrived with a new larger Zip Fob true to the originals and was generally bigger than a Mk1 Settanta issues of 2006.

The most sort after 80s Settanta track top the elusive Kelly Green had been name dropped in recent times as the holy grail along with the Terrinda by the likes of Nick Love and Tim Lovejoy along with a whole host of casual connoisseurs eventually got its re-release, whilst limited to around 400 it sold out so fast that Fila brought it back again in October 2007 and March 2008.

The success of the Fila Green is an indication of the love affair people have for a brand with unique design and appeal and re-iterates what a legend Bjorn Borg had been possibly even more so than a modern day Beckham in his association with Fila and a very distinct look.

Fila Vintage by now was re-inventing the brand and seizing opportunities in the modern day. Online stores and Ebay shops began to emerge dedicated to the 80s casuals revival and the success of Fila showed when UK stocks were low prices soared. The casual re-emergence saw Diadora release the famous Borg elite kangaroo leather trainer that was a big part of the Borg and 80s casual attire.

Borg matchday jackets revisited and new twists.

Fila 2008 with Danny Dyer and Tamer Hussan flying the Fila flag gave reminders to key as worn in The Business styles are apparent.

Hot on the heels of the Matchday success the most discussed comeback Fila Vintage release of recent 2008 history is the 4 Stripe Track Jacket and the 4 Stripe Rain Jacket hitting the shops March 2008 with some major success. The Jacket was similar to the red golf scene (Tamar The Business) and red tracks worn by Wham. Danny Dyer taking to Soccer AM in the navy / red 4 stripe saw the UK sell-out in days another mark of what Fila Vintage can achieve with exposure. A long awaited red release is set to hit select UK stockists August 2008 watch this space.

An example of other Fila items to feature from 2006Š.to now

Borg polos ­ Classic Settanta BB1 stripe / Solicio Mk2, Trezzan (window-pane) & Mancini.