Tennis is having a major style moment (in case you haven’t noticed). And right now, there’s a chic new brand stepping onto the court with a fresh — and fashionable — perspective, introducing Courting. Founded by Courtney Kelly, the New York-born, Beverly Hills-designed lifestyle label launches today with a women’s collection that reimagines classic tennis staples through elevated fabrics, modern silhouettes, and thoughtful design, blending nostalgia, performance, and effortless off-duty polish.
For its debut, Kelly tapped longtime friend Whitney Port to create a curated capsule inspired by Port’s personal style and genuine love of the game. Spotlight sat down with Port to talk about the collaboration, the inspiration behind the pieces, and how her style has evolved to seamlessly align with Courting’s modern take on tennis.
Check out the full interview with Whitney below.
SPOTLIGHT: How did your partnership with Courting first come about, and what made this collaboration feel like a natural fit?
PORT: It actually started very organically. I had recently started taking tennis lessons and ran into Courtney on a court in LA. We share the same tennis pro, which is such a small world. My husband has been a strong tennis player since high school so the sport has always been around our house, and now we are even getting our son into it.
I’ve known Courtney for a long time and believed in her vision and what she was building. Courting felt really thoughtful and intentional from the start.
What made the collaboration feel natural is that we both see tennis as more than just a sport. It is about style, presence, and community. I have always approached fashion through the lens of real life, how something actually moves with you and fits into your day. Courting already had that philosophy, so stepping into the project felt very aligned with my aesthetic and values.
SPOTLIGHT: Tennis style is having a major cultural moment right now. How did you tap into that energy while still designing pieces that feel timeless and wearable beyond the court?
PORT: Tennis is definitely having a moment, but the reason it keeps coming back is because it’s rooted in classic silhouettes. We leaned into that heritage — the pleats, the tailoring, the sport references — but modernized it through fabric, proportion, and styling.
For me, it was important that these pieces didn’t feel like costumes. I wanted someone to be able to wear the skirt to a match, but also style it with a knit or blazer for lunch. The Moto Jersey is a great example — it nods to sport but feels bold and streetwear-inspired at the same time. It’s about versatility and longevity, not trend-chasing.
SPOTLIGHT: What was the creative process like working alongside Courtney Kelly, and how closely did you collaborate on details like fabric and fit?
PORT: It was very hands on. I was involved from the early fittings through fabric conversations, sampling, and styling. Courtney brings years of playing experience so she really understands performance and movement on the court, and I came at it from a styling and wearability perspective.
We spent a lot of time talking through how the pieces should actually feel on the body. The fabrics had to be soft but structured in the right places, and the fit was incredibly important to me. I wanted everything to feel effortless and confidence boosting whether you are playing tennis or just living in the pieces.
For me it was important that this was a real build. I invested my time from the beginning and was involved in the process the whole way through. It truly felt like creating something together.
SPOTLIGHT: Many people first met you during your time on The Hills. How would you describe the evolution of your style since then?
PORT: When I was on The Hills, I was very much experimenting and figuring out who I was. It was a fun, trend-driven time. Over the years, my style has become more refined and intentional. I’m drawn to pieces that feel effortless but still have a point of view.
I think now I prioritize quality and versatility much more. I want items that work hard in my closet — that I can style multiple ways and wear for years. This collection reflects that evolution.
SPOTLIGHT: Looking back, what lessons from your early fashion career still inform how you design today?
PORT: One big lesson is that great design lives in the details. Fabric choice, fit, proportion — those things make or break a piece.
I also learned that you have to design for real women with real lives. It’s not just about how something photographs. It’s about how it feels when you’re moving through your day. That mindset absolutely informed this capsule.
SPOTLIGHT: Has your approach to getting dressed changed as you balance motherhood, business, and wellness?
PORT: Definitely. My life is fuller now, so I need clothes that can keep up. I gravitate toward pieces that feel comfortable but still polished. I don’t want to sacrifice style, but I also don’t want to overthink it.
Athletic-inspired pieces have naturally become a bigger part of my wardrobe because they align with how I actually live — school drop-offs, meetings, workouts, everything in between. That’s why designing something that transitions seamlessly from court to everyday life felt so authentic to me.
SPOTLIGHT: What do you hope women feel when they wear these pieces, whether they’re on the court or just going about their day?
PORT: I hope they feel confident and completely themselves. Tennis has this beautiful energy that is strong but also graceful, and I think the clothing should reflect that.
What I love about Courting is that it is not just for one type of person. You can be a serious player, someone who loves watching the sport, or someone who just connects with the style and energy of it.
The goal is that when women wear these pieces they feel like they are part of something bigger. A community that loves the game, the culture around it, and the confidence that comes with showing up as yourself.
Both the Courting Core Collection and the Courting x Whitney Port capsule are now available to shop online at CourtingTennis.com.
