Maria Sharapova is the face of Cole Haan Sporting

MANILA, Philippines - International tennis champion Maria Sharapova is the face of Cole Haan Sporting, a new collection for spring 2009, rooted in sport and remixed with fashion.

Cole Haan Sporting boasts a dynamic pairing of Cole Haan’s authentic craftsmanship and Nike’s sports innovation. The collection introduces new technologies like Flywire, which build on the successful Nike Air franchise by recasting them into fashion-forward designs.

The spring 2009 global launch of Cole Haan Sporting includes men’s and women’s footwear and accessories, and features international tennis champion Maria Sharapova.

This lifestyle fashion collection will encompass day to evening silhouettes in both the footwear and accessories categories.

“Maria Sharapova embodies the blend of fashion and sport that makes Cole Haan Sporting unique,” said Cole Haan chief executive officer James Seuss. “We created this collection as the foundation to a dynamic lifestyle -weaving Cole Haan’s history of craftsmanship with Nike’s tradition of high-performance innovation.”

Maria Sharapova, 21, is a triple Grand Slam winner who has a longstanding passion for style. She will step into the role of collaborator for the fall 2009 season.

“Cole Haan Sporting proves that fashion and technology can work together to change the way women think about and wear sport-inspired product,” said Sharapova. “I look forward to working with Cole Haan to bring new innovations to this leading fashion brand with such a rich history.”

For spring 2009, Cole Haan Sporting will embody sport style with a collection inspired by nautical, court, track, and golf. The women’s footwear collection includes elevated wedges, chic flats and sleek sandals. Signature men’s styles include the brand’s iconic boat shoe and edgy lace-ups in bold color palettes paired with classic neutrals.

This new collection will continue to showcase Nike Air, an innovation that has enabled Cole Haan to redefine luxurious style and comfort.