Every long-lasting brand has a humble beginning; and this one belongs to a French tennis player named René Lacoste. It’s safe to say that he was responsible for changing the face of tennis in the early 1920s. As a methodical perfectionist, he started to perfect his tennis skills since he was young, and eventually went on to win seven Grand Slam singles titles at the French, American and British championships. His sporting prowess and tenacity on the court quickly earned him the nickname “The Crocodile”, which is now a recognisable icon for the brand.
There was one thing he wasn’t happy about though. He felt uncomfortable with how restrictive the long-sleeved white shirts typically worn by male tennis players at that time were. So he worked hard on finding a practical alternative to enhance his skills.
“At the time we all played in white town shirts with buttons, sleeve buttons and collars. I needed something more practical and more healthy.”
He partnered with renowned fabric specialist André Gillier to create the iconic L.12.12 piqué cotton polo, which had had better ventilation and helped to improve performance whilst maintaining a contemporary look. And these are the very qualities that are celebrated in the Lacoste L.12.12 Footwear Collection.
The new collection by Lacoste pays tribute to that iconic polo and embodies the very essence of the brand in the most intimate way. It’s a new release that’s heavily anchored by a distinct historical story, making it truly authentic. The L.12.12 piqué cotton polo lends its minimal aesthetic and fine details to the shoe by including a soft premium leather upper with the brand’s five signature punched holes, clean sporting lines, piqué lining inside the shoe and the iconic embroidered crocodile logo near the heel. To mark this special release, a discreet L.12.12 label is woven under the tongue of the shoe.
Lacoste L.12.12 Footwear Collection, $199. Available in white, black, grey, green and red at Lacoste Wisma Atria and selected Lacoste boutiques.
