From a block away, chants and cheers echoed in a frenzy comparable to those on the sidelines at a match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
But Lacoste took over creative director Pelagia Kolotouros’ second collection not at Roland Garros, but at a former bank in central Paris, where she continued to build around the brand’s origin story.
Inside, sand was also used instead of clay as a runway, with a wave-like installation of nets created especially for the occasion by UK-based artist Susie McMurray, and a display wall. The screens conveyed a beach-like atmosphere. Waves crashing.
In the preview, Kolotouros cited founder René Lacoste’s regal off-court style as a source of inspiration, particularly 1920s snapshots of the founder and friends at the seaside.
Paying homage to 1920s swimwear, silky robes and sharp tailoring, there are also street-savvy pieces like boxy neo-polo shirts cut from denim and ultra-thin micro-ripstop nylon hoodies. It has been woven into a lineup that can be worn securely.
The most powerful were the suits developed using new piques made from tropical wool. The leather blouson and shorts are oversized and create a nice slouch as you wear them. Bodysuits and dresses that expose the ribs and back.
There were also witty tennis-themed touches, such as a sweater decorated with a racket motif, with the wearer’s head acting as a ball. The tones that look great on the skin, from sandy beige to deep chocolate, are also a highlight, as are the tennis ball yellows, blacks, and greens.
Lacoste’s spring lineup looked like a second winning game for Kolotouros, especially with a high percentage of her fall runway designs arriving in stores. But the fight to fully bring Lacoste products back into the fashion world has only just begun.
