Lacoste Company History: From Humble Beginnings to Global Brand

René Lacoste, a French tennis player, founded the company in 1933, and it was originally called Chemisier Lacoste.

The first polo shirts with the iconic crocodile logo were created in 1933, and they quickly gained popularity among tennis players and the general public.

René Lacoste's innovative design and high-quality materials helped establish the brand's reputation for excellence.

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Lacoste was founded in 1933 by René Lacoste, a 29-year-old French tennis player nicknamed The Crocodile.

René Lacoste's nickname "The Crocodile" was inspired by a bet he made with his team captain regarding a crocodile suitcase.

The first product of the Lacoste company was the revolutionary tennis shirt designed by René Lacoste, which featured the iconic crocodile logo embroidered on the chest.

The production version of the tennis shirt was dubbed the L.12.12, where L stands for Lacoste, 1 for uniqueness, 2 for short-sleeved, and 12 for the twelfth prototype selected.

The fabric used to make the first Lacoste polo shirts was called petit pique, a type of weaving style characterized by raised parallel cords or geometric designs in the fabric.

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The original Lacoste slogan was "Attention au crocodile… il n’y a qu’une CHEMISE LACOSTE", which translates to "Beware the crocodile... there's only one Lacoste shirt."

René Lacoste's goal was to create a brand that embodied the tenacity and style associated with his nickname, and he achieved this with the iconic crocodile logo.

Lacoste's first product, the tennis shirt, was a huge success, and the brand quickly expanded to include shirts for golf and sailing.

The Lacoste brand has a legacy extending over 88 years, with a global presence of almost 1,100 stores around the world.

Today, Lacoste is a high-end men's and women's ready-to-wear clothing brand worth $1 billion, with a strong presence in Asia and the Asia Pacific region.

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Lacoste's iconic crocodile logo has become synonymous with timeless elegance and sport-inspired style, reflecting the brand's commitment to blending sophistication and athletic flair.

René Lacoste, a renowned tennis player of the 1920s, founded the brand in 1933 with André Gillier. Lacoste's nickname "The Crocodile" was earned due to his unmatched determination on the tennis court.

Lacoste's first polo shirt, designed by René Lacoste, revolutionized sportswear with its lightweight cotton, buttoned placket, and ribbed collar and cuffs. This design introduced a new era of refined and effortlessly stylish casualwear.

The brand's global success can be attributed to its dedication to quality and authenticity, establishing a strong presence worldwide through standalone stores, boutiques, and e-commerce platforms. Lacoste's commitment to sustainable practices is also evident in its use of eco-friendly materials and responsible production processes.

Lacoste's collaborations with artists, designers, and heritage brands have infused its collections with fresh perspectives and innovation, pushing the boundaries of style while maintaining the brand's distinctive identity.

René Lacoste was a tennis player who won several international titles, including seven French Championships.

He created the iconic crocodile logo, which has become synonymous with the brand, as a symbol of his nickname.

The first Lacoste polo shirts were designed by René Lacoste and his brother-in-law, Robert George.

These early polo shirts featured the now-famous crocodile logo on the chest and were an instant hit with tennis players and fashion enthusiasts alike.

The company's early success was largely due to its innovative and high-quality products, which quickly gained popularity among athletes and fashion enthusiasts.

René Lacoste designed the comfortable polo shirt that revolutionized tennis attire. He defied conventional tennis dress codes by creating a short-sleeved shirt made of Petit Piqué, a finely honeycombed fabric that allows for air circulation.

This fabric is breathable and lightweight, ensuring comfort, ease of movement, and elegance. René's innovation was a response to his own desire to optimize his game and be the best he could be on the court.

The polo shirt was made possible by Lacoste's partnership with French textile manufacturer André Gillier, who helped him officially found the Lacoste brand in 1933. This marked the beginning of a new era in tennis clothing.

The modern polo shirt was a game-changer, and it's still widely popular today. Until 1950, the polo shirt was only available in white, but now you can buy it in many different colors.

René's design featured a loose collar and button placket, which added to the shirt's comfort and style. The polo shirt's flexibility and lightweight material made it an instant hit among tennis players and fashion enthusiasts alike.

The iconic Lacoste polo shirt has become synonymous with timeless elegance and sport-inspired style. Its distinctive crocodile logo, which was inspired by René's nickname "The Crocodile", has become a symbol of the brand's commitment to style and functionality.

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Lacoste's popularity surged in the early 2000s due to French designer Christophe Lemaire's work to create a more modern, upscale look.

In 2005, almost 50 million Lacoste products sold in over 110 countries.

The brand's visibility increased due to contracts between Lacoste and several young tennis players, including American tennis star Andy Roddick, French rising young prospect Richard Gasquet, and Swiss Olympic gold medalist Stanislas Wawrinka.

Lacoste began to increase its presence in the golf world, sponsoring two-time Masters Tournament champion José María Olazábal and Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie.

Bernard Lacoste transferred the presidency of Lacoste to his younger brother Michel Lacoste in 2005 due to his serious illness.

The Lacoste Foundation was founded in 2006 to support community projects that use sport to aid vulnerable young people.

Michel Lacoste served as President until 2008, and the brand has continued to grow since then.

In 2010, Felipe Baptiste Oliveira became the creative director of Lacoste, a post he would hold for eight years.

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Lacoste has a significant global presence with almost 1,100 stores around the world.

The brand has a strong presence in Asia and the Asia Pacific, with over 500 stores in the region.

Lacoste's legacy extends over 88 years, a testament to its enduring popularity.

Founded by René Lacoste, a 29-year-old French tennis player, the brand is deeply rooted in its French heritage.

Worth $1 billion, Lacoste is a high-end men’s and women’s ready-to-wear clothing brand.

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The preppy style was on the rise in the late 70s and early 80s, and Lacoste was right at the forefront of it. Lacoste's iconic polo shirts with the crocodile logo on the chest were a must-have for anyone who wanted to pull off the preppy look.

In the late 70s and early 80s, Lacoste hit peak popularity throughout the US, with its polo shirts being a staple of the preppy style. Lacoste's connection to the world of sports, particularly tennis, helped to fuel its popularity during this time.

Lacoste's polo shirts were originally designed for tennis players, but they quickly became synonymous with sporting excellence and sophistication. This fusion of athletic inspiration and refined style helped to establish Lacoste as a leader in sportswear fashion.

The preppy hype eventually started to cool down, and the spotlight moved away from Lacoste. This led to the brand being split up, with the original Lacoste brand moving upmarket to reestablish itself as a luxury brand.

Today, Izod continues to produce similar piqué polo shirts as Lacoste, but it has been reintroduced as a mid-ranged apparel brand.

René Lacoste was a young tennis prodigy in 1923, playing for Team France at the Davis Cup competition in Boston, USA.

He was just 19 years old at the time and made a lasting impression on an American sports journalist with his tenacious and relentless playing style.

This journalist gave René the nickname "The Crocodile" due to his ability to "chew up his opponents slowly", much like a crocodile.

René loved the nickname so much that he started having it embroidered on his blazers and tennis shirts from 1927 onwards.