The crocodile, the famous Lacoste logo was Rene Lacoste’s nickname in the tennis circuit. It became emblematic when the famed tennis player created the Lacoste tennis shirt in 1929 with the now signature crocodile embroidered on the chest.
So, while the La Société Chemise Lacoste (shorted to Lacoste later), was founded Rene and André Gillier in 1933, the “crocodile” as an emblem was already 4 years old. Still, whether its 91 or 87, it has a lot of mileage on it.
Hence, it’s not surprising that Lacoste decided to reboot its famous logo. And they are doing it in style. Three creatives, three styles, three visions – that’s how the crocodile is being reinvented.
March 18, 2020, Lacoste invites artists Friends With You, Jeremyville and Jean-Michel Tixier to re-appropriate the legendary logo for the French brand.
This Spring, the iconic Lacoste crocodile will enter new creative territory, with three new reinventions. Revised and updated with the candid pen strokes of Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III of FriendsWithYou, the whimsical style of Jeremyville and clean lines of Jean-Michel Tixier, the reptile is seeing a new day, with a new look.
Known for their optimistic graphics and positive world view, the three artists have each produced a colorful collection, reinventing the house’s timeless classics from ready-to-wear to accessories in joyful, offbeat, colorful new style. The legendary polo shirts, essential T-shirts and sweatshirts join caps, watches, leather goods, sneakers and fragrance bottles in three highly original collaborations, full of humor and tenderness. Each one reinvents the Lacoste world in its own, upbeat style.
FriendsWithYou, A Gentler World
FriendsWithYou is a collaborative creative project from artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval Ill. Based in Los Angeles, they have been working towards positive change in the world since 2002. Known for their immersive installations and inflatable sculptures, their work goes further than the contemporary art world, to reach popular culture. For Lacoste, they sent the crocodile into orbit in a colorful, dreamlike world peopled with minimalist, faux-naive characters that see Lacoste’s sporting roots take a warm and unexpected turn towards kawaii.
Jeremyville, Raises The Bar
Based between New York and Sydney, Jeremyville takes comic culture-infused, street art-rooted style around the world. For Lacoste, the artist created a luxuriant and creative jungle, where tennis and crocodiles are blended as one. Lost inside a cheeky design worked in his trademark curves, rackets and tennis balls become hybrid animals; strange, cute little characters who befriend the four-legged reptiles in an abstract and surreal world.
Jean-Michel Tixier, A Parisian Croc
From the pages of glossy magazines, to posters on the walls of the trendiest Parisian brasseries, French illustrator Jean-Michel Tixier has created a crocodile modeled on himself and the people around him. The crocodile becomes human as a stylish hipster, upper-class Paris dad, harried trader, Paris dandy and sportswear-mad teen. An affectionate take in the second degree on Lacoste fans from all backgrounds.
The goods from this collaboration between Lacoste and these three artists will be available as early as March 18th in Lacoste’s e-shop and in physical stores.
Photos courtesy of Lacoste
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