R.SPORT: STYLE FOR THE UNSERIOUS SPORTSPERSON
28 February 2024 | Words by India Curtain
In the expansive world of sportswear brands, there are some designed for performance athletes, and others for those who simply enjoy their morning walk toward an iced latte. And then there’s R.Sport, who have their own space in between.
Created for “dabblers” in sports ranging from soccer to trail running, R.Sport is the brainchild of ecommerce and marketing specialist Anthony Puliatti, aged 30. Now co-led with former AFL player Jasper Pittard, this relatively new kid in the streetwear game is scoring goals (sorry) among recreational and performance athletes alike.
Pittard, 32, who played 158 games for Port Adelaide and North Melbourne, explains: “It's for people who just like to be active and involved in a community as a team. It’s not about being competitive, it's about encouraging exercise and being social.”
The part fashion label, part performance brand, which will showcase in the Block Party Runway x Visit Melbourne at the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, has steadily built a name for itself in the city’s hospitality and music industries, where Puliatti and Pittard have created custom jerseys for community sports teams and groups that love a friendly soccer match in their spare time.
The brand’s almost “anti-athleisure” aesthetic took shape in 2020 with the signature soccer jersey, and has now expanded to running, biking and golf. On the back of two world cups, R.Sport’s guernsey’s have been well received by soccer fans (and festival goers). The pair hope to use the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival runway to reach a wider audience, and establish themselves in both the sporting and fashion industries.
“We’re using it as a bit of a tester for the new products, to see what the reactions like” says Pittard
Despite being the pair’s side-hustle – they each have other full-time jobs; Puliatti as an ecommerce specialist at furniture business Fenton & Fenton, and Pittard co-leads not-for-profit organisation Footy for Climate.
R.Sport is run with the same passion and energy as a full-time endeavour. Puliatti reflects on how their distinct visions pair together. “I have a bit more pared back and classic style, where Jasper’s is almost eccentric and flamboyant,” he says.
R. Sport’s current collection features a range of vibrant pieces, including “tiramisu-coloured” tracksuit pants, mesh caps, signature boxy logo tees, a bright green running shirt and an array of intergalactic, checked or striped soccer jerseys. Puliatti explains that material is an important part of the way they refined each drop.
“The fit and material are influenced by the ‘90s, early 2000s kits that were baggier and a bit breathier, rather than the modern performance kit that’s tight fitting,” he says.
The brand’s other sporting pieces such as golf and track apparel are influenced by the style of Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan in their early careers.
Parts of R. Sport’s aesthetic have evolved from Puliatti’s earlier business, named kvRkr.Sport, which designed hi-vis sportswear for cyclists. Some “experimental” pieces are still made available on their site, helping document the brand’s growth since launching.
Meanwhile, Pittard balances his product design at R.Sport with his own streetwear brand, WOAT, which he set up after the end of his football career in 2020.
The WOAT and R.Sport jersey collaboration
The pair met through the futsal community, where the opportunity arose to collaborate on some merch for Fitzroy bar Poodle, and the R. Sport duo was born (And yes, they still play futsal every Wednesday, donning their own designs, of course).
Ahead of the runway, they’ve teased some tennis inspired garments, track-skirts and an outfit inspired by the classic sports coach on game day. Beyond the show, the 2024 dream is to design team merchandise for local football clubs in the area, as well as expanding into their own space (they’re currently residing in an office above the Collingwood cafe, Into Coffee). Puliatti and Pittard hope to grow their community with the R. Conversations podcast and, of course, they’re always keen to grab new recruits for R.Sport Futsal Club teams.
R. Sport’s pieces are available on their website, unless specified to purchase through a collaborator.