LACOSTE Legends – The Power of 12 An inspirational new footwear design project,
LACOSTE Legends brings together 12
legendary collaborators from the worlds of music, media, design and retail, to create an
exclusive collection comprising 12 shoes.
Sharing the
LACOSTE values of tenacity, authenticity, modernity and effortless style,
together the 12 contributors are the
LACOSTE Legends.
The story of Legends begins with
René Lacoste. Reigning tennis champion of the 1920s
known as ‘The Crocodile’ for his on-court tenacity, René was a true legend of his time.
Famed for his sportsmanship, his spiritedness, elegance and enduring sense of style, René went on to found the eponymous
LACOSTE brand that over 75 years later still bears the much-beloved crocodile emblem.
As a prolific inventor off the tennis court, René created the ubiquitous L.12.12 Polo Shirt,
utilizing state-of-the-art technology to craft it from breathable cotton known as petit piqué. To this day the Polo Shirt remains an icon of the brand, synonymous with quality and style.
Inspired by the legacy of René and the
LACOSTE tradition of innovation, the story lives on through the Legends footwear concept that unites 12 contemporary Legends to pay homage to the great man and the iconic L.12.12 Polo.
Fusing the collection together, each shoe has a tongue crafted from petit piqué cotton,
incorporating a woven
LACOSTE-branded tab finished with a mother-of-pearl button,
referencing the intricate detailing found on the L.12.12 Polo. The 12 designs reflect the
broadly diverse personalities and creative talents of each of the contributors, and confirm
their legendary status as the foremost trend-setters and opinion-leaders from across the
globe.
Legends is launched in style at a special event at Berlin hot spot Stadtbad, featuring DJ sets and performances from the collaborators themselves. In the build up to the global retail launch, news, updates and exclusive content from collaborators will be posted on
http://www.24teeth.comthe
LACOSTE website devoted to footwear collections.
The 12 designs go on sale with selected global distribution on 12.12 – the 12th December 2010.
The
12 LACOSTE Legends are:
Jazzie B:Entrepreneur
Jazzie B, OBE, is a household name. But his status is not just due to Top Ten hits and best-selling albums. Along with creating the world-famous sound system
Soul II Soul, Jazzie imagined that total look known as the “Funki Dred”. It grows and changes every season, infusing all Jazzie’s endeavours with a unique and vibrant brand.
www.soul2soul.co.ukSébastien Tellier:Sébastien Tellier is a modern day enigma. A hirsute lothario, conquering hearts with soulful music that brims with a seductive allure. As the summer of 2010 approaches, Sébastien is preparing to return to the studio to record his fourth album, the subject matter remaining under wraps for now. Fans should also watch out for CASTRA – a two-headed secret project with an as yet unnamed big collaborator.
www.facebook.com/pages/Sebastien-Tellier/10492353218Stones Throw Records:Stones Throw Records is an independent, underground hip hop, soul and funk record label based in LA. It was started in 1996 by DJ/Producer
Peanut Butter Wolf. With a roster that includes
Madlib, J Dilla, Doom, Mayer Hawthorne, Aloe Blacc, and
Dam-Funk, they can be regularly found representing their unique sound in venues in all key global cities.
http://www.stonesthrow.comato Japanese designer
Ato Matsumoto has been a fixture at Paris Menswear Fashion Week
since 2000. With a flagship store in Tokyo, the ato collection also includes a womenswear
line launched in 2003.
www.ato.jpChristophe Lemaire:Christophe Lemaire gained his experience with
Yves Saint Laurent and Thierry Mugler,
where he completed his initial placements, then as assistant to
Christian Lacroix from 1986 to 1990 at Jean Patou and Christian Lacroix. From 2000 to 2010, Christophe was Artistic Director of
LACOSTE. Twice winner of the Andam Prize, he launched his own label in 1991 and added men’s ready-to-wear to the women’s collection four years later. He refined a fashion inspired by changes in music and pop culture, the mix of attitudes and the scent of freedom that they gave off.
www.christophelemaire.comTim Hamilton:The designer
Tim Hamilton founded his label in 2007; just over three years later, he has
risen to become a leading voice of New York American men’s wear new guard and is now reaching International acclaim.
www.timhamilton.comSneaker Freaker:Launched in 2002 by
Simon ‘Woody’ Wood and acknowledged as the first magazine to
document the modern footwear craze as a global phenomenon,
Sneaker Freaker has
become an unlikely publishing success story. Now also online, it is a daily must-see for
sneaker fans everywhere.
www.sneakerfreaker.comi-D:Legendary British fashion and style magazine founded in 1980. Editor-in-Chief
Terry Jones has established himself as one of the most innovative creative directors of his generation, from the covers of
Vanity Fair and
Vogue, where he was art director from 1972-77, to the innovative designs of
i-D magazine.
www.i-donline.comShoes Master:Japanese sneaker magazine first published in 2004, Shoes Master has rapidly become an internationally-distributed bible for all sneaker devotees. With a philosophy that ‘sneakers are not simply something to put on your feet, there is a deeper sense of fun that speaks to your emotions’, the magazine is a biannual publication showcasing sneakers from around the
globe.
www.shoesmaster.jpBodega: Located in Boston in the US,
Bodega is an iconic spot for urban youth. Hidden behind a
traditional “bodega” (convenience store) is a secret sneaker store. A faux Snapple vending machine activates a hidden sliding door -Inside is an ultra-modern sneaker store carrying limited edition styles as well as street wear and books on art and design. A truly legendary and fresh approach to retailing with second-to-none consumer care.
www.bdgastore.comD-Mop: Since its conception in 1988, D-mop has been unwaveringly dedicated to exploring unique, cutting-edge designs, advocating creative and quality collections as well as supporting new bright talents. In so doing they have gained themselves the reputation of possessing the most distinctive visions on the fashion scenes around the world. Stores cover all major shopping areas in Hong Kong, including Causeway Bay, Central, Tsimshatsui and Mongkok.
www.d-mop.com.hkcolette: Destination Paris fashion store
colette first opened its doors in March 1997, situated at 213 rue Saint-Honoré. Its philosophy is aimed at reinventing the concept of retail, and the tag line "styledesignartfood" is the mantra through which colette has flourished.
www.colette.frView a video with all the action from the launch party here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_weuwW57hc 
