Lacoste steps up their fashion game at Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2020

Besides being known as an ace tennis player, Jean René Lacoste (a.k.a "the Crocodile"), was also the man who introduced the Lacoste tennis shirt to the world, so to say that the brand has its roots deeply tied to the sport would be an understatement. For her second collection since taking over as creative director of Lacoste, Louis Trotter made sure to pay careful homage to the brand's beginnings.

For a start, the show venue was at Roland-Garros' brand-new Simonne Mathieu court, and as guests streamed into the location, editors and tastemakers were greeted by a live match that was being played on the red clay court in the centre of the stadium.

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As expected, the iconic Lacoste polo t-shirt featured heavily on the runway. But instead of the usual fit favoured by sportsmen, the latest iteration is super oversized. In vivid brights or pristine white, and paired with pleated skirts or tucked into silk pants, the humble top instantly took on a covetable streetwear appeal.

Never veering far from the brand's codes, Trotter instead modernised the look and feel of classics: loosening necklines, playing with buttery leather and adding a luxe touch to tracksuits and windbreaker jackets.

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Before heading up design at Lacoste, Trotter had previously spent nine years as the creative director of English label, Joseph, and her experience in tailoring and elevating basics shone through many of the pieces showcased.

Take, for example, the smart suits for both men and women, in eye-watering shades of canary yellow, baby blue and mint green, as well as the streamlined coats that would be a closet staple for years to come.

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When it came to accessories, collaboration was key. Brass-cast crocodile pendants, by Rosh Mahtani, of London-based jewellery label Alighieri, added a sheen to the looks, while the eye-catching sneakers and loafers were designed by Helen Kirkum, who graduated from the London Royal College of Art in 2016.

Another standout — and perhaps indicative of what the latest Lacoste collection is all about — were the leather scarves tied around the necks of the models. Simple but oh-so chic.

See all the coverage from Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2020.