French automaker Citroen has gotten together with Lacoste on a concept car that takes its main inspiration from the French clothier’s origins as a sportswear label. Consequently, wheels are built to resemble tennis balls, the dashboard fascia is reminiscent of a tennis net, and the upholstery fabric is the same type of pique cotton used on Lacoste tennis shirts. The sporty outdoors aesthetic is reinforced by the subtraction of doors and a roof (though there’s an inflatable cover in the event of rain) and the addition of a retractable rear bench. Power comes courtesy of a 3-cylinder gasoline engine, though the point is somewhat academic as the vehicle isn’t expected to enter production. Rather, the enterprise is about the expression of fun and an adventurous spirit. Click through for more looks, as well as a video interview with car designer Celine Venet. via: Pocket-Lint

Japanese streetwear stalwart atmos has been in the game for ten years now, consistently churning out quality collaborations over the course of its storied history. Here we see them teaming up with the French powerhouse Lacoste, a combo that leads to the very classy Tricolor Collection. The results are two chukka type designs featuring a rich suede and minimal alligator branding, as well as some nice knitwear offerings-a must considering Lacoste’s long running dominance in that genre of apparel. Each of the items within the collection bear some combo of the blue, white and red of the French flag throughout their design, hence the Tricolor Collection. Continue reading to take an extensive look at all of the items featured in this collaboration. The package is set to drop early in June exclusively at atmos.

It was another dreary spring evening in New York City, except no one took notice of the steady rain pouring down as they enjoyed a moment of bliss high on top of Standard Hotel New York. Sponsored by DETAILS Magazine in conjunction with LACOSTE L!VE initiative, the party at the “must visit” Le Bain night club marked the launch of Street Knowledge. Compiled by King Adz, who himself a street artist, the book is an expansive encyclopedia on street art, graffiti, and the supporting cultures behind. Associates and friends joined Adz, along with members of DETAILS and LACOSTE for an evening of free Champagne, treats, and giveaway, all on the backdrop of 80′s pop and hip hop spun by DJ Diehl. Street Knowledge by King Adz is now available at fine bookstores everywhere. In the meantime, look for the “brand with a crocodile” at this week’s Coachella Music Festival.

Photography: Poe for Freshness

The similarities between fashion editors and migrant workers are uncanny. After trotting the globe chasing after fashion shows and collection presentations, focuses are on New York once again as Market Week is in full effect. To take some of the “edge” off these well-traveled (and disquietude) bunch, LACOSTE Footwear hosted an intimate sit down dinner instead at King’s Carriage House in New York City. Over Watercress Salad, Grilled Salmon, and Filet Mignon, Jim Shi of MR. PORTER conversed with Barbara Schneider-Levy of Footwear News while DETAILS‘ Paul Avarail and ANTENNA‘s JenniLee examined the new LACOSTE Tribute Collection on display. Where as last year’s LACOSTE Legends Collection focused on the iconic Petit Pique L.12.12 Polo Shirt, the LACOSTE Tribute honors the years1925 and 1926. Along the span of those 2 years, Rene Lacoste forever enshrined himself in the annal of tennis when he won 1925 French Championships in Singles and Doubles, 1925 Wimbledon in Singles and Doubles, and 1926 U.S. Championships in Singles. The LACOSTE Tribute Collection is to comprises of classic silhouettes in new appointments of suede, perforated leather, tumbled leather, vulcanized outsole, to name a few, all are set to launch as part of LACOSTE 2011 Collection during the middle of this year. Both informative and delectably satisfying, if only all Market Week meetings could be the same…

Photography: Poe for Freshness

LACOSTE is digging deep into their heritage again in 2011.  Inspired by the sailboat of the same name, the latest Lacoste 42 Pack revisits the 80s, specifically 1985 . All white exterior is reflects the all white sailboat and four models, Rene, Cheve High, Cabestan Twin and Broadwick Vulc, with each model takes subtle nautical design cues and the red, blue and white, the tricolor break down references the brand’s French roots. Lacoste 42 logos can be found on the sneakers and metallic silver eyelets sharpen up the clean exterior. Japanese online store FLAUGE is taking advance pre-orders prior to official release scheduled around early February.

In the midst of laughter, good company, and an alcohol concoction by the name “Legendry Croctail” (yes, Croctail), LACOSTE launched its Legends Collection last evening at New York City’s Bloomingdale’s department store. The collection, which is to celebrate the iconic L.12.12 pique cotton polo shirt, enlisted help from 12 specialists in the field of art, design, media, and retail. Each participant, icon in their own right, was able to create a pair of LACOSTE sneakers that is now the basis of the LACOSTE Legends Collection. All 12 editions are now available at Bloomingdale’s No. 59 Metro section on East 59 th Street here in New York. A wider distribution will take place this weekend as the collection is set to launch at select LACOSTE retail locations.

French sports brands connect on the surprising collaboration between Lacoste and cycle brand Look. The result of the collaboration is an even more unusual bicycle that is state of the art, but at the same time some what retro. The bicycle is a hybrid of single speed, MTB and urban bike components as there are disc brakes on each wheel, cleats, mustache bar and the most interestingly, the single speed belt drive instead of conventional chain. All white color pays tribute to the first polo shirt that was produced by Lacoste and it also features a retro look utility pouch on the premium white Brooks saddle. via: Brooks

Not just mere numerals and letter, L.12.12 is symbolic of what LACOSTE was and still is known for – innovation, as the cryptic code represented the product number for L.12.12 Polo Shirt, the first to be crafted from “petit pique” breathable cotton fabric. And as December 12th draws near, the French icon enlisted 12 influencers of contemporary fashion in its LACOSTE Legends Project, where each contributed their own homages to the legendary Rene Lacoste and his polo shirt in the form of 12 footwear. One of the 12 contributors was BODEGA of Boston, who drew elements from the “sporting gentlemen” of 1920s.  Comprised of navy herringbone worsted wool with a dash white pin stripes added, the BODEGA’s Broadwick model then incorporated a richly appointed leather around the heel and sockliner.  Limited to 150 pairs, with 50 of those to come with a matching BODEGA t-shirt, all will be available exclusively at BODEGA on Sunday, December 12th.

BODEGA (BDGA)
6 Clearway Street | Map
Boston, MA 02115

Release Date: December 12th (Sunday)

The product of a globe-spanning collaboration, bringing together retail icons from the US and Japan, and French brand Lacoste, this collection gives some signature inspiration to the classic, low-profile Rene shoe. Recruiting two of Japan’s top fashion retailers, Ships and Journal standard, Lacoste invited each to put their creative stamp on the Rene. Arguably the Genesis shoe for the French label, the Rene is named for company founder Rene Lacoste.

Ships puts the Rene in two denim versions – bleached or washed – and adds stamped eyelets and leather laces. Journal Standard keeps it simple with an indigo cotton upper, set off by chocolate leather piping and laces. As a collaborative project, this is is spot-on: the classic shoe gets a dose of subtle – but very fashionable – creative energy from two leaders in Japanese fashion. Available at Urban Outfitters.

One of the bigger happenings this week is slightly less frivolous on the stateside, as we had just completed the midterm elections, and to some’s dismay and some’s joy, the US House is now largely dominated by the Republicans, with the Republicans controlling 239 seats, and the Democrats with 188 seats. In New York, Paladino lost the Governor seat to Cuomo. Politics aside, New York City has been taken over by the Kardashian sisters, who had just opened the New York store of their boutique, DASH. On the same night as the DASH opening, Dr. Martens finally gets its stand-alone store in SoHo, with Burberry and Chanel as its chic neighbors. The weather continues to drop, but on Halloween night, the streets were taken over by NY Bridge Runners who are determined to celebrate the big party occasion with a little cardio instead of alcohol. adidas Originals released new winter-ready shoes for the colder weather, and NBA heats up with spotlight on new blood like John Wall, who had his NYC debut at the Madison Square Garden this past week, and of course, the man of insane assists, Rajon Rondo. Catch up on key things not to be missed before the week is over after the jump.

In celebrating the legend of LACOSTE, and the game-changing L.12.12 pique cotton polo shirt, which soon became the standard uniform for tennis players after being conceived by tennis legend and entrepreneur, Rene Lacoste, the heritage sportswear label had employed its foresight and roped in 12 contemporary legends from various disciplines, ranging from art to retail and media, to design a pair of shoes each for the Lacoste Legends Collection. While we had previously posted a detailed look into the extensive collaboration, here is a video which walks us through all the partnerships from Japan’s ato to i-D Magazine, from former Creative Director of Lacoste, Christophe Lemaire, to super retailer, colette. The collection has finally arrived and will start delivering from retailers such as Flauge soon.

Tennis legend and brand founder of LACOSTE, Rene Lacoste invented the “L.12.12“, which is the origin of the modern polo shirt design. Undoubtedly, LACOSTE has changed the tennis uniform, but he has also influenced the daily wear and fashion scene with his design. For the Lacoste Legends Collection, LACOSTE reached out to the legends of the moment from various disciplines, ranging from music (Jazzy B, Sebastien Tellier and Stones Throw), design (Christophe Lemaire, Tim Hamilton and ato), media (Shoes Master, Sneaker Freaker and i-D) and retail stores (Colette, Bodega and D-Mop). Various sneaker models were redesigned in the signature style of the collaborating brands, and each sneaker is individual and unique. Online store FLAUGE is currently taking pre-orders of the sneakers, which are scheduled for release in mid December.