Summary: To celebrate the brand’s 80th anniversary, Lacoste decided the Spring/Summer 2013 capsule collection would be the best way to show the dedication and impact the brand has made on the fashion community. Creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista made a push to establish the legendary sportswear label onto the contemporary scene.
Definitely focusing its attention on establishing an graphic identity, crisp floral prints and the iconic signature alligator logo made an appearance in this clean and crisp collection. Starting out the show in stark white pieces, one can see that it was more upon building from the namesake of the brand than making a bold fashion statement out of the gate. Prints taken from the 1980s archives were the inspiration for the bold asymmetrical blocks of navy and yellow. Baptista also paid homage to the classics by re-creating the crucial element of sportswear: the jogging suit.
Faithful to Rene Lacoste’s tradition of the techno-sport of fashions, crocodile-embossed nappa leather lamination onto jersey and plastic raincoats were made front and center. Lack of color was probably the biggest problem of the collection. Tailored dresses were used as a balance to the boxy raincoats and ponchos. Though the dresses focused on clean lines and bold colorblocking, because the colors were so neutral, nothing really stood out. Pops of colors had a few spots in each of the pieces but being overwhelmed by white made the small pops almost unnoticeable. It was, alas a sea of white. Maybe next year, Lacoste should make a push to be a bit more fashion-forward than focusing on being sporty.
Color Palette: pure white, cream, navy, pale yellow, black, camel, sand, green, pearly grey, electric blue, light blue, dark orange, red
Fabrics & Textures: nappa leather, lamination, jersey, plastic, cotton, viscose, polyester
Key Looks: Pale yellow colorblock polo shirtdress; Black collared crop top with signature logo printed jersey skirt and grey matte plastic raincoat; Black and white signature logo printed jersey sheath dress
– Taneisha Jordan
Photos: WWD
