The history of the Lacoste brand is, as Lacoste designer Christophe Pillet says, ‘a very large, strong story.’ Lacoste was the accidental brainchild of tennis legend René Lacoste in 1933, when he designed a polo shirt for the courts that featured the now-famous crocodile. According to Lacoste, this was the first time a brand name appeared on the outside of clothing, a practice that is commonplace today.
A global lifestyle brand that offers comfort and elegance, the Lacoste name now covers much more than shirts, namely a cross-section of ap-parel, fragrances, foot-wear, leather goods, and accessories. Eye- and sunwear joined the Lacoste family in 1981. Charmant USA, A Division of Charmant Inc., has held the license since 2006, continuing the brand’s tradition of classic styling, relaxed elegance, and dedication to quality and innovation.
WHAT’S OLD IS NEW Nothing speaks more to the Lacoste vibe—timeless and sophisticated, yet hip—than the recently re-released Style No. 101 sunglass. This unisex aviator features a double bridge and is the same design as the original 1980 sunglasses except for an updated debossed logo on the temples. Working in the old with the new is a sensibility that extends beyond the reissuing of the Style No. 101 sunglasses. The blending of past with present describes Lacoste’s current work as well. Other sunglasses in the collection rock with retro, such as Style No. LA12657. This pop star sunglass is an oversized wayfarer shape with a vintage feel.
The ophthalmics continue the eye-wear brand’s design trend of being retro and contemporary at the same time. Style No. LA12051 boasts the increasingly popular double bridge while Style No. LA12241 has a unique temple design.
Lacoste continues to reinvent classic shapes and vintage forms and gives them a contemporary twist, which is just what hip consumers are looking for today.
Reina Berger is an editorial intern at First Vision Media Group.
WHERE TO FIND IT Charmant USA A Division of Charmant Inc 800-272-2042 • charmant-usa.com
