For years, the sight of tennis stars toweling off between points at Wimbledon has been synonymous with the iconic green and purple towels. What many tennis fans might not realize is that these sought-after souvenirs are proudly "Made in India". For the past 15 years, these towels have been manufactured in Vapi, Gujarat, a testament to India's growing role in the global textile industry.
Welspun Living Limited, through its subsidiary Christy UK, has been the official manufacturer of the Wimbledon towels since 2006. The collaboration between Wimbledon and Welspun is a source of pride, highlighting India's fine production quality on a global stage. Vanshika Goenka, CEO of Christy UK, emphasizes that the Wimbledon towels are more than just functional items; they are collector's items for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
The towels are crafted using a specialized technique. The factory in Vapi is an expert in creating yarn-dyed jacquard towels. This involves combining two different colored yarns to construct the fabric, resulting in a towel with striking colors on both the front and back. The towels are also made with high-tech HygroCotton, a patented spinning technology that increases absorbency and wicks away water quickly, making them ideal for sports. Moreover, the towels are eco-friendly and OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring they are produced ethically and ecologically.
The design process for each year's Wimbledon towel begins approximately 18 months before the tournament. Lucy Ackroyd, head of design at Christy UK, explains that design and color trends for the season are carefully considered. Each year, the design undergoes screen-testing on the court to ensure it stands out on camera. For example, the 2024 design shifted from a landscape to a portrait format to enhance its appeal as a beach towel. These designs often incorporate silhouettes of players in motion, created using a special shading technique.
The popularity of these towels is undeniable. Each towel goes through a seven-day-long manufacturing process. Interestingly, fewer players return their towels each year, as they prefer to keep them as souvenirs. Beyond the court, the towels have become a symbol of the Wimbledon Championships, with the brand even launching CGI-led campaigns featuring the towels draped over iconic buildings around the world.
In addition to the classic green and purple colorway, Wimbledon introduces a seasonal color each year. In 2023, it was a vibrant hot pink. For 2024, the seasonal colorway was "Hyacinth & Lavender," chosen in consultation with global trend forecasting group WGSN to be mood and wellbeing-boosting.
Welspun has also embraced sustainability by upcycling excess towels from previous championships into tote bags and jackets. These upcycled items have proven to be incredibly popular, with the tote bags selling out in record time.
The "Made in India" Wimbledon towels exemplify the country's growing prominence in the global textile market and its ability to produce high-quality goods that are both functional and iconic. These towels not only serve a practical purpose for the world's top tennis players but have also become a coveted symbol of the prestigious Wimbledon Championships.
