Scene setting: It was probably the first time a fashion show had taken place at Roland Garros. Guests arrived to the Avenue Gordon Bennett venue on a warm, sunny afternoon to be ushered by a Lacoste-clad team towards the iconic Simone Mathieu court, where a casual match was taking place. It was a nice throwback to the May tournament and a smart move by a house that, curiously enough, has particularly concentrated in reconnecting with its French roots since it brought a Brit designer on board.
Moodboard: Last season, Louise Trotter delighted everyone with a first collection that wittingly combined the sports heritage of Lacoste with a hint of covetable fashion and a healthy dose of the kind of basics that Parisians love and the rest of the world takes a cue from.
This season, references were a bit more scattered, and the focus was more on trends. Tennis-inspired polo shirts – in shades of grass green and clay court terracotta – became oversized tops and ankle-long dresses, and tracksuit pants were combined with shirts and classic René Lacoste-worthy graphic V-neck knits.
Big utilitarian coats were still there, but this time combined with nylon track bermudas and long pleated skirts. But basics worked best: unisex double breasted, pleated trouser suits in sky blue, baby pink and mint green tones had an irresistible appeal that felt both classic and undeniably modern.
Finishing touches: Much like last season, bags took on big proportions, and were held as oversized clutches by the models. With the proportions of generous, luxurious leather gym bags and equipped with shoulder straps, some of them looked exactly like the kind of practical maxi bag that is becoming increasingly rare to find. Shoes had that same sport-to-street vibe: sneakers came in a colour-block leather patchwork, but ultra classic loafers – again, very René Lacoste – were the real star of the show for both sexes, often paired with tennis socks.
