Lacoste scores a match point with a collection woven around founder and tennis star René Lacoste’s memories of tennis and the sea.
Life’s a game, and for French sportswear brand Lacoste, there’s no better way to swing and win than to incorporate luxurious tennis-inspired fashion into your everyday wear.
For its Paris Fashion Week exhibition on Oct. 1, Lacoste showcased a completely wearable lineup that creative director Palagia Kolotouros weaved around founder and tennis star René Lacoste’s off-court style.
The designer took inspiration, particularly from photos of René and his friends at the seaside in the 1920s — the decade before the renowned athlete founded his luxury sportswear company, which is now valued at $1 billion (P56 billion).
Dubbed “Tennis to the Seaside,” everything in Lacoste’s spring-summer 2025 collection and its show gave the audience a feel of the fun and frolic in René’s memories during The Golden Age of Sport.
The show took everyone to the beaches of France with its runway covered with sand and a wall of large screens playing clips of crashing waves. In the middle of the runway was a wave-like installation of tennis court nets created by UK-based artist Susie MacMurray.
Models walked around the installation, some of them with keys on hand. Kolotouros said it symbolized the idea that Lacoste’s new sporty and fashionable lineup is something one might find in their grandfather’s trove (in this case, René’s).
“The ideas were to ask yourself what you might find in your grandfather’s attic. If you find an old streamer trunk, what would be those little artifacts from the past?” the designer explained.
Lacoste’s spring/summer 2025 collection featured savvy 1920s-inspired boxy polo shirts, athletic shorts, as well as loose and pleated tennis dresses that are flexible and breathable enough to be worn on the court or anywhere under the sun. Adding seaside vibe to the practical and comfortable mix are the twenties-inspired swimsuits in different cuts and fabrics, and silk robes billowing in the air as models walked.
The palette is fresh and perky, with tennis-ball yellow, tennis-court green, pristine whites, and cool khakis comprising the mix. It gradually transitioned into dark brown and black as seen in suits, jumpsuits, oversized leather jackets and shorts, as well as bodysuits and dresses that bared the ribs or back. All of which came with sharp cuts and detailed tailoring in true Lacoste fashion.
Of course, a Fashion Week show wouldn’t be complete without witty touches in a brand’s collection. These are found in Lacoste’s pair of sweaters fancified with a huge tennis racket — and the wearer’s head serving as the ball. There are also couple shirts printed with the slogan “Match” in front and an eyelet dress that makes the wearer look like a walking tennis court.
The show was a win with its front row comprising a number of celebrities including Korean pop and R&B artist Heyoon. The K-pop idol graced the event wearing a Lacoste lime green coords accessorized with glossy point-toe boots and a top-handle tote printed with a stylized Lacoste logo.
At the event, Heyoon took some snaps with her fellow South Korean rapper Soyeon, as well as her “inspiration” and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams. The tennis star went for a bright, knit long dress for the show.
Apart from Williams, Lacoste has been the official dresser of fellow tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedey. Its recent spring-summer show is proof that tenniscore is here to stay on and far beyond the court.
