LACOSTE

René Lacoste and André Gillier: A Story of Innovation and Style

Picture the scene: in the late 1920s, a young French tennis player named René Lacoste dominated the tennis rankings with his unique style and determination on the court. But he wasn't content to simply excel at his sport; Lacoste also wanted to revolutionize sportswear. So, together with André Gillier, he founded a fashion house that would forever change the way tennis players, but also athletes around the world, dressed.

The genesis of the famous "model 1212" polo is a tale of creativity and practicality. Lacoste, looking for a garment that combined comfort and class, took inspiration from the shirt and the T-shirt (then considered only an underwear). The result? A polo that not only allowed freedom of movement on the tennis court, but also embodied timeless elegance thanks to its ribbed collar. This garment quickly became a symbol of status and style, marching into the future with a novelty: the logo. In fact, Lacoste was a pioneer in placing a visible logo on clothing, making the crocodile a globally recognizable icon.

Despite his roots in tennis, Lacoste didn’t stop there. His passion for sports led him to explore football and golf, especially since his wife was an avid player of the sport. Lacoste’s dedication to sports was reflected in every piece of his clothing collection, which combined functionality and style in every fiber.

But the crocodile story doesn't end with the polo. In 1968, Lacoste took another step forward in the fashion scene, launching the first men's fragrance, simply called "Lacoste". This new chapter was just the beginning of an epic: in the 80s, with the opening of the first stores, the brand transformed into an international clothing chain, conquering hearts and wardrobes all over the world.

Today, Lacoste is a full-fledged fashion house, offering not only clothing, but also footwear, fragrances and accessories. The crocodile, a symbol of resilience and tenacity, continues to adorn the garments, maintaining its original essence, but with some small variations in color that enrich its aesthetics.

The true origin of Lacoste's nickname "Crocodile" is fascinating. In 1927, following a bet with the Captain of the French Davis Cup team, Lacoste earned his nickname: a crocodile suitcase, promised in the bet, became the symbol of his determination and victories. "The American public remembered this nickname which underlined the tenacity I showed on the tennis courts, as I never gave up on my prey!" Lacoste said, describing how his friend Robert George drew an embroidered crocodile on the blazer he wore on the court.

And so, from that first embroidered crocodile, Lacoste built an empire, transforming the world of sportswear and becoming a symbol of elegance and practicality. Today, when we wear a Lacoste polo, we are wearing not only a piece of clothing, but also a piece of history, a legacy of style and the ingenuity of a champion.