Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) is a South Korean esports organization competing in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). Backed by the Hanwha Group, one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates, HLE has the corporate muscle to pursue partnerships that most esports organizations can only dream of. In January 2026, they proved it.
At the HLE Fan Fest on January 3, 2026, Hanwha Life Esports debuted a collection in partnership with Brooks Brothers and Rockport, marking one of the most unexpected crossovers between esports and luxury heritage fashion.
Brooks Brothers Heritage Apparel
The Brooks Brothers component of the collection includes shirts, pants, and blazers styled in the American heritage brand’s classic aesthetic. Founded in 1818, Brooks Brothers is synonymous with Ivy League style, preppy fashion, and premium tailoring. Seeing their garments paired with an esports organization creates a striking contrast that speaks to how far gaming culture has penetrated mainstream fashion.
The apparel was worn by HLE players and staff at official events, presenting a polished image that diverges from the typical jersey-and-sneakers look of esports teams. The pieces blend Brooks Brothers’ traditional design language with subtle HLE branding.
Rockport Footwear
Rockport, the American footwear brand known for blending comfort technology with classic styling, contributed performance sneakers and dress shoes to the collection. This gave HLE players and fans access to footwear that works both in professional settings and casual daily wear.
The partnership with Rockport is facilitated through Brandworks Korea, which manages both Brooks Brothers and Rockport’s Korean market presence.
Why This Matters
The HLE x Brooks Brothers x Rockport collection represents a significant moment in esports fashion for several reasons:
Heritage fashion meets esports. While Nike, adidas, and PUMA have been involved in esports for years, Brooks Brothers is a different category entirely. This is luxury heritage fashion, not athletic wear, and it signals that esports organizations are being taken seriously as lifestyle brands by industries far removed from gaming.
Korean esports leads the way. South Korean organizations, backed by major conglomerates, have consistently pushed the boundaries of what esports partnerships look like. HLE’s Hanwha Group backing enables deals that smaller Western orgs simply cannot match.
The athlete-as-professional image. Dressing esports players in blazers and dress shoes rather than jerseys and hoodies sends a deliberate message about professionalism and maturity in the industry.
More HLE Coverage
- Gen.G 2026 Official Player Uniform
- DRX 2025 Official Jerseys
- Gen.G x Descente 2025 Official Player Jersey
Where to Buy
Select items from the collection are available through the HLE official channels and Korean retail partners. Availability outside South Korea may be limited.
