Look at how the Alvarez twins, Anatole and Victor, are adding zest to pelota

Pelota (also known as pilota in Basque and pelote in French) is a sport that transcends borders and spreads its influence across all corners of the globe.

From the vibrant Basque region in Spain to the picturesque landscapes of southwestern France, to the lively courts of South America and the far-reaching shores of the Philippines, this captivating sport is soaked in cultural layers, intertwining traditions and histories.

In the Philippines, a variation of the pelota called jai alai became popular in the Thirties. Jai alai is a sport that involves bouncing a ball off a walled-in space by accelerating it to high speeds with a wicker cesta. The sport was brought to the country by Teodoro Jáuregu, who hails from the Basque region of Spain where the sport originated. He established a fronton ( jai alai court) in Manila.

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In the Seventies, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) operated the game, which flourished through the years until it was banned in the country in 1986 due to allegations of game-fixing. While jai alai operations were briefly revived in 1993, the Supreme Court of the Philippines decided with finality in 1995 that the game was illegal, according to an article published digitally in Inquirer.net. As a result, the iconic four-storey fronton on Taft Avenue, designed by Welton Becket, the same American architect behind the Los Angeles International Airport, was demolished in 2000.

For Anatole Alvarez and Victor Alvarez, whose Filipino and French grandfathers were avid pelota players, the sport holds a special place in their family history. The upbringing of the twin brothers throbbed with echoes of the game played on the courts of Manila and Guethary, France.

As the years passed, the resonance of the pelota began to wane. The echoes faded, and the vibrant energy of the game diminished. Today, Anatole and Victor, driven by a shared passion and a profound connection to their heritage, felt a deep urge to breathe new life into the game.

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Respecting the rules and traditions, the brothers embarked on a transformative journey to uncover the true essence of la pelota. They ventured to El País Vasco’s birthplace to immerse themselves in the sport’s heritage and understand who still carried the flame of passion. They witnessed countless tournaments, matches and training sessions, which revealed an unfortunate reality: La pelota, although cherished by a dedicated few, struggled to resonate with the younger generation.

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Armed with this fresh revelation, the Alvarez twins formulated a vision that merged fashion and youthfulness to bring la pelota to the forefront of contemporary trends. With a creative eye and an appreciation for their heritage, they sought to capture the spirit of la pelota through an artistic project, in collaboration with South Africa-based photographer Elie Benistant, that would offer a fresh take on this fading tradition.

Some of the models in Benistant’s photos were styled with white bottoms adorned with coloured ribbons, berets and white shoes, paying homage to the rules and aesthetics of the sport. However, the Alvarez brothers challenged the traditional “codes” of pelota by introducing unique elements to their creative vision. They decided to outfit some models in longer board shorts, cut shorts and skate gear, deviating from the customary attire. In a bold statement, they had the models play shirtless, adding to the sense of liberation and self-expression. Additionally, they chose to associate their older brother Anthony Alvarez’s brand, Bluemarble Paris, which perfectly complemented their creative vision of free-spirited youth. The photographs captured the sport’s energy, grace and dynamism, evoking a renewed appreciation for its beauty and significance.

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Anatole and Victor offered a fresh perspective by seamlessly blending the past and the present, inviting young people to reimagine the sport and find their connections to its history.

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Credits

Photography: Elie Benistant

Styling: Salvatore Ramjan

Outfit: Bluemarble Paris

Hair: Florian Bignon

Make-Up: Florian Bignon