Two Atlanta-based brands team up for new pickleball collection

Photography by Katie Michelle Photo

Pickleball is undeniably hot in Atlanta. This is perhaps not surprising, given how much Atlantans love tennis. Pickleball is tennis’ louder, more social cousin, and if the beginnings of places like Painted Pickle are anything to go by, the sport will have longevity in our city.

For some, dressing is just as important as how you play. A new collection, CROSBY by Mollie Burch x La Point, was recently released by two Atlanta-based brands to help those who want to look stylish while playing achieve that goal. CROSBY by Mollie Burch is a ready-to-wear brand founded in 2015, known for its bold and bright original prints in feminine, easy-to-wear silhouettes.

La Point, founded last year by Lindsey Catone, is a brand of pickleball rackets and accessories. “Our philosophy is that pickleball doesn’t always have to be so casual, it can be sophisticated and fun. We want to combine performance and fashionable designs,” she says.

Photography by Katie Michelle Photo

Catone initially contacted Burch to talk about collaborating on a paddle, a fortuitous communication since Burch was considering launching an active line. “It was a real fluke and we loved Lindsey’s philosophy of making pickleball pretty but functional. We also loved supporting another women-owned small business based in Atlanta,” says Burch. The time was right and the two launched the CROSBY by Mollie Burch x La Point line this spring.

Featuring paddles and matching dresses, the collection comes in five vibrant prints with names like Palm Beach, Ace It and Pickle Plaid. The paddle collection is available on both websites and corresponding activewear can be found on the CROSBY by Mollie Burch site, with the pieces available at select boutiques around town like East Magnolia in Marietta and Barnett & Co in Peachtree City.

Photography by Katie Michelle Photo

It’s been fun for both of them to see the collection around town and see the response. “Putting our prints on pallets hits a niche market,” says Burch. “We definitely found something that was missing. Our paddles work well, but they look really nice and come in a nice branded case that people love to show off. Catone, who is an active pickleball player, remembers a recent run-in. “I was at a tournament and there were so many women showing up with the paddles and in dresses or skirts. A team of two signed up and the duo made the Palm Beach model. They had the paddles, one of them was in a dress and the other in a skirt. It was really cool to see,” she said.

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