In a world where everything is described as a classic, the actual spirit of the word has a tendency to get lost in a tornado of classics, icons and legends. But when Lacoste get in the game, you have a true icon on your hands. Matchpoint? You bet with the new L.12.12 Lacoste trainers inspired by the classic polo.
With a history that gazes back over 83 years to 1933, the Lacoste L.12.12 polo shirt has a pretty much unrivalled claim when it comes to sports fashion history. Created by sporting superstar, René Lacoste, the Lacoste polo is synonymous with sporting elegance unrivalled – a genuine icon both on the sports field and on the streets.
Partnering with renowned fabric specialist Andre Gillier, Lacoste created the iconic piece we know today, meticulously perfecting the finer detail and showcasing his true artisan techniques, famously creating 12 prototypes to find the perfect product. The piqué fabric was used to enhance movement and improve performance through its versatility whilst remaining smart, sophisticated and intact. These qualities have been transferred and celebrated in the new L.12.12 shoe.
Paying homage to the iconic polo, the L.12.12 shoe captures the spirit of the Lacoste brand from the clean, definitive sporting design through to more subtle attributes including an extra soft premium leather upper for enhanced movement and a nod to a key brand code in the punched toe detailing. The shoe’s cupsole taps into stylish, clean sporting lines, while the piqué lining nods to the artisan techniques that formed the iconic polo in 1933. The moulded insole provides added comfort and breathability.
A clean monochrome palette complimented by smart, sophisticated architectural design capture the values of the brand finished with the iconic crocodile logo, inspired by Lacoste’s on-court nickname and discrete L.12.12 label under the tongue.
