If there’s one thing Lacoste excels at, it’s transforming athletic wear into effortlessly chic fashion. Under the creative direction of Pelagia Kolotouros, the Spring/Summer 2025 collection was an unapologetic celebration of laid-back luxury, seamlessly blending athleticism with contemporary elegance.
This season, the runway took us from the tennis courts to sun-drenched seaside getaways, capturing the carefree elegance of the 1920s while nodding to contemporary fashion sensibilities. The collection takes inspiration from archival photos of founder René Lacoste enjoying off-court moments along the beaches of Southwestern France. The playful elegance of the 1920s is revived, offering a vision of sporty chic that brings together both past and present.
Kolotouros injects this collection with a sense of liberation, as breezy silhouettes with sensual fluidity took centre stage. Lacoste’s signature sporty aesthetic is woven throughout, yet with a lighter, more leisurely touch — evident in the elegant pleats, cut-outs, and lingerie-inspired details that bring a feminine edge to classic pieces.
Of course, Lacoste’s beloved polo shirt was reimagined and elevated — transformed into everything from elegant evening dresses to tennis skirts. Kolotouros also paid homage to the tennis greats of the past, incorporating an abundance of pleats in tribute to Suzanne Lenglen, adding movement and fluidity to the body-conscious designs. Tennis-themed motifs like rackets, balls, and prints designed by René Lacoste’s friend, Robert George, made subtle yet impactful appearances, grounding the collection firmly in Lacoste’s legacy.
The artistic reinterpretation of the crocodile logo — deconstructed into elements like bones, teeth, and eyes — added a playful, avant-garde twist to accessories, mostly illustrated on the glossy white totes, reminding us that even tradition can be turned on its head for modern fashion. Lacoste’s athletic roots, however, were never far from view, as Kolotouros returned to the archives, serving up neo-tennis looks featuring performance-driven materials and modernised romper bathing suits, a signature from the 1920s.
Colour played a starring role, with earthy nude tones like tan and espresso acting as a foundation for bursts of vibrant yellow and green. These pops of colour, particularly Lacoste’s reimagined grassy green, injected the collection with a youthful energy, channeling the bright optimism of seaside escapes.
The accessories were to die for. Reptilian eye pendants and embroidered crocodile pins lent an extra flair, elevating even the most casual looks into trendy, elegant fits. Bulky, colourful glasses complemented a range of handbags, including the quirky “pleated skirt” bags — sure to be the next big trend.
A standout piece from the collection was undoubtedly the glossy green jacket. Its high-shine, patent leather-inspired finish added a futuristic touch to the classic Lacoste silhouette, while the structured cut in a deep green hue exuded modern sophistication. Styled with matching green shoes and an equally bold bag, this look encapsulated the collection’s balance of bold statements and everyday versatility. It’s the perfect example of how Lacoste is pushing the boundaries of sportswear while maintaining its signature sense of casual elegance.
Explore the collection at Lacoste.com
photography. Lacoste
words. Gennaro Costanzo
