Lacoste Spring 2013: Classic sportswear beyond the tennis court

A look from the Lacoste Spring 2013 runway show at New York Fashion Week. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

The Lacoste Spring 2013 runway show began with a tennis court motif in the background, animated to the soundtrack of tennis balls being struck by racquets.  However, the collection itself didn’t really seem to reference tennis at all, even with the U.S. Open happening concurrently just one borough away from the New York Fashion Week tents.

Indeed, as it turned out, tennis was not the intended focus for creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista, despite the label’s foundation by its namesake Rene Lacoste, one of the French Four Musketeers who dominated the Grand Slams and Davis Cup in the 1920’s and 1930’s.  As proof, the expanded appeal of the classic sportswear line could be evidenced in the front-row lineup, which included basketball players Chris Bosh and Kris Humphries.

Baptista chose not to look back as far as the label’s beginnings, turning to an era that is now incredibly three decades past: the ’80s. The subtle homage to this time period included jogging suits, golf bags converted into totes and sneakers edging slightly towards the street.  Other looks included deep V-neck dresses for the women – one memorable piece was a thick black leather-like mini-dress with the crocodile logo embossed all over – and baggy clothing for the men. For both genders, a plethora of thick plastic raincoats and signature Lacoste polo shirts were on offer.

Chris Bosh and family attend the Lacoste Spring 2013 runway show at New York Fashion Week. (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Photo Gallery: Lacoste Spring 2013
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine

Video: Lacoste Spring 2013 Backstage & Runway

backstage video by Inga Vascenkova / Meniscus Magazine
runway video by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine

This video includes more than 10 minutes of footage, including a quick shot of Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten at the end.