TIME MACHINE: 1976

Today, the Time Machine takes us back to 1976; the heart of a decade marked by dreams and actions that would become immortal. On April 1st, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Inc. in Silicon Valley, a company that would revolutionise everyday technology. Cinemas were full of cult movies such as Taxi Driver by Martin Scorsese, The Tenant by Roman Polanski, Novecento from Bernardo Bertolucci and Rocky by John G. Avildsen, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture and gave us the iconic Sylvester Stallone.

1976 is also important for FILA. On December 19th, Italy won its first-ever Davis Cup , and we all know the impact that the red polo shirts worn by Paolo Bertolucci and Adriano Panatta had on the world. In the Golden Era of tennis, Björn Borg from Sweden, then just 20 years old, won the WCT final in Dallas, Texas. Then, without losing a single set, he took home the first of his Wimbledon titles. He was the youngest winner in history and curiously, this record would be taken away from him by another familiar face, Boris Becker. Commenting on Borg, the Romanian former number one Ilie Theodoriu Năstase prophesied, ‘We’re playing tennis, he’s playing something else’. Borg is also unrivalled in terms of style. 1976 marks the debut of the Settanta jacket, a garment that best reflects the natural evolution of tennis and its elegant and sexy allure. The Settanta is a zip sweatshirt with three side inserts. Practical and flexible, it was captured by photographers before and after matches. It represents a trend that is still alive today – at least judging by streetwear reinterpretations launched in recent years.

In 1976 FILA went poolside with AQUA TIME, the brand’s first swimwear line. The star product of the launch was a jacket made of Tyvek, a breathable, water-repellent and wind-resistant material. The jacket’s geometric contrasts in a navy blue, turquoise and cream palette made it an instant classic. It is no coincidence that in 2021, on the occasion of the brand’s 110th anniversary, FILA launched a genderless re-edition in softer colours in a limited edition of 110 pieces. The project was a collaboration with another brand of Italian excellence – Acqua di Parma. The company celebrated FILA’s anniversary with a special edition bottle of its Arancia di Capri scent.

In 1976 Jennifer Capriati, former US tennis player, and Mark Webber, former Australian racing driver, WERE BORN.