Lacoste is Lacoste is Lacoste' well not anymore.
The Spring 2007 runway collection confirmed that there is more to Lacoste than polos and purely preppy pieces. In fact only a few models sported polos, and mostly men at that. The collection consisted of several groups with varying spins on the traditional Lacoste look.  The models came out individually and also in staggered in groups of 2, 3, and 4 to reiterate the groups within the collection.

A group filled with rich punchy colors such as turquoise, blue, teal, magenta, and orange provided a bold aspect to the simple silhouettes that incorporated swim suit looks, color blocking, and yarn dyes.  An appropriate combination of spring hues comprised of pink, sea foam green, and lemon yellow made way in the form of mix and match bathing suits, cover-ups, a few thin sweaters, and dress shirts tied in the center.

Kelly green and classic blue are recognized as a part of the more traditional Lacoste color palette.  Models wearing pieces made of crisp cotton sheeting made potentially sloppy pieces fresh and clean, as they wore dresses that resembled oversized men's dress shirts with neat belts. And of course you can never go wrong with classic combos of white, black, navy, and splashes of red.  Men and women looking flawless in lightweight blazers, jackets, trousers, and a few more sheer pieces floated down the runway.

Many of the color ranges included woven plaids, and stripes, often accompanied by belting and white cuffs.  Shorts, tunics, bathing suits, light weight fitted pants, cropped
pants, bloomers, tennis dresses, and button up shirts were present within practically every group.  I noticed that nearly every collar on the button-ups were banded, baring only a stand' and usually left unbuttoned as to keep the look from becoming too rigid and they became almost indistinguishable except when in a contrasting white. One concept I found particularly innovative, though I must say seemed to be a bit out of character, consisted of a peculiar printing idea.  A round neck tennis dress with graphics of an outline of traditional polo collar and buttons screen printed right on top.  Similarly some of the men's' pieces bore ties printed on the traditional men's polo with original collar.  Very cool.

To top it all off the looks worked well with the accessories and styling.  Cute ball caps, face framing sunhats, hair clips, sweat bands and crowns of braided fabric all playing an integral part.  The girls carried solid color oversized purses and gym bags, and the boys toted messenger bags. Both displayed belts, some stripped, and some with leather tipping.
The shoes were mostly variations of the dock shoe, strappy sandals, and loose canvas scrunch ankle boots with toe and heel exposure. Clean simple hair and make up brought the entire look together nicely.

And as usual the well placed Lacoste symbol provided just enough brand identity.  We know Lacoste, we don't need it plastered all over the place' and it is exactly that little discreet alligator that makes it work.  The Lacoste label came to popularity in the United States in 70's and 80's. It was actually founded by Tennis great Rene Lacoste and Andre Giller in 1933 after Rene became known as 'The Alligator' a few years prior by press.  A hit with athletes, sports fans, and preps for decades, and has been considered a wardrobe staple for ages but until recently was not considered a runway line.   The fusion of urban style and the preppy pieces has much to do with its success as a runway collection.  The show was packed with old school and new school style' even down to the high energy beat mixed with familiar lyrics.  I am very impressed with Lacoste's ability to work the runway' who would have guessed it, I'm not sure but it's evident that Lacoste it is here to stay and is challenging a caliber that far exceeds the original polo design.

For more information, visit www.lacoste.com