Lacoste redefines sporty-chic with urban elegance

Lacoste made a grand return to Roland Garros, but this time, the brand served up more than just tennis heritage. One year after her runway debut on the legendary central court, Pelagia Kolotouros transformed the iconic arena once again, unveiling Lacoste’s fall-winter 2025/26 collection—a bold interplay of sport and style.

This time, the entire show unfolded on the clay court itself. A star-studded front row—draped in statement Lacoste pieces—brought even more energy to the spectacle. Pierre Niney and Venus Williams, the brand’s ambassadors, led the way, joined by Adrien Brody in a ribbed sweater and tailored cream trousers and Claire Danes in a bold apple-green ensemble. The guests, seated on plush Napoléon III chairs reminiscent of a high-society soirée, were placed right at the heart of the action.

Yet, despite Lacoste’s renewed partnership with Roland Garros until 2030, tennis barely appeared in Pelagia Kolotouros’ vision—a bold and perhaps brilliant move.

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After two seasons of immersing herself in the identity of this French house, rooted in tennis and golf heritage, Pelagia Kolotouros unveiled a duality of visions for Lacoste this Sunday afternoon. One side exuded chic elegance with a subtle touch of technical sportswear, while the other embraced refined sophistication with a cosmopolitan edge.

The sporty-chic aesthetic took shape in oversized puffer jackets and hooded mountain parkas layered over long skirts and paired with heels—perfect for a luxury ski resort getaway. The models, spanning generations, were winter-ready, sporting mittens, waterproof footwear, and balaclavas.

Yet, style remained at the forefront as designers meticulously refined sleek ski jackets, full-body suits, and tailored winter ensembles in pristine white and warm sand tones, giving each silhouette an air of effortless sophistication.

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While tennis took a backseat, René Lacoste was front and center, honored through a bold new square logo featuring the four letters of his name, RENE. This graphic emblem made a statement on sweatshirts and the back of an oversized wool sweater. A subtle nod to 1927, the brand’s founding year, was also discreetly placed along the hems of select pieces.

Lacoste’s technical expertise shone through in the adjustable fastenings on trousers and skirts, laser-cut detailing on oversized waterproof coats and the use of reflective materials—a striking fusion of function and fashion. Special mention goes to the house’s iconic polo, reimagined in an oversized puffer fabric, effortlessly blending sport and streetwear.

This innovative take tied both of the collection’s narratives together. The puffer tee appeared in a metallic forest green, styled with matching mittens and black leather trousers. Meanwhile, two standout ensembles embodied the collection’s duality—one in cream, featuring a long-sleeved polo with a textured knit pant, and the other in plush black fleece, with a relaxed V-neck sweater and wide-leg trousers.

For next winter, Lacoste is not just catering to après-ski aesthetics. Pelagia Kolotouros is dressing men and women for evening elegance, introducing cocktail jackets, tailored suits, silk blouses, structured blazers, dark green pinpoint trousers, and fluid, floor-length gowns. And when it comes to shimmer and shine, one piece stole the show—a sequin-covered jacket paired with a flowing fuchsia wide-leg pant, proving that Lacoste’s vision extends far beyond the court.

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The collection also played with details in unexpected ways—a silver crocodile head emblazoned on a black T-shirt, shimmering silver threads woven into prints, and, most strikingly, jewelry, brooches, and embellishments adorning nearly every look. Accessories took center stage, with statement brooches and ornaments worn as belt accents transformed into long, trailing white, green, or black laces cascading down to the knee. The crystal-encrusted crocodile brooches were impossible to miss, yet their bold presence stood in contrast to the subtler placement of the Lacoste logo on clothing.

In the end, Pelagia Kolotouros delivered a collection of standout pieces that will undoubtedly resonate in the brand’s flagship stores. At the same time, her mastery of materials brings a newfound depth to Lacoste’s identity, elevating the crocodile beyond its sporting roots.