Fred Perry at Rackhams

Fred Perry, the son of a cotton spinner, first made his mark as the world table tennis champion at just 19. He later transitioned to lawn tennis, where his powerful forehand led him to win Wimbledon three times. Perry, who perfected his self-taught skills on public courts in west London, went on to captain the Davis Cup team, win 10 major titles, and become the first player to achieve a Career Grand Slam—a feat no other British player has matched.

The iconic Fred Perry shirt, originally introduced as the M3, marks the beginning of the brand’s legacy. Designed by Fred himself, the shirt debuted in 1952, combining practicality and style both on and off the tennis court. What inspired Fred Perry also resonated with a generation of tennis players, then with rebels, musicians, filmmakers, and eventually came full circle back to athletes. But at the core of it all, just above the heart, was the Laurel Wreath. The iconic shirt that stands out—whether spotted across a room, a dance floor, or a football stadium—remains a symbol of this enduring legacy.