From the Heart: Lacoste’s L001 Sneaker Has Been Decades in the Making
Founded in 1933 by legendary French tennis star René Lacoste, ‘La Chemise Lacoste’ – known to most simply as – have a history that runs deeper than the clay courts of Paris. Pioneers of the pique polo, Lacoste are sartorial trailblazers, defining the preppy wardrobe as we know it today. After decades at the forefront of fashion, the fabled crocodile logo finally found its way onto footwear in the 1980s – a move that has since redefined the concept of the casual tennis shoe.
Much like the classic polo shirt, Lacoste’s storied sneaker lineage has been shaped by clean lines with a distinct je ne sais quoi. Their ever-growing presence in the world of sneakers and streetwear has been snowballing since in the early 2000s, with the likes of Supreme, BAIT and Footpatrol all finessing sought-after collaborative projects over the years. In fact, a famed Aussie ‘boogazine’ called teamed up with the brand for their first-ever collaboration, unveiling the Missouri 85 ‘Minty Fresh’ in 2006.
Like all true champions, Lacoste aren’t resting on their past achievements. For 2021, they’ve introduced a brand new silhouette to the street: the L001.
Referencing Lacoste’s proud tennis heritage, the new L001 sneaker is a modern twist on the classic court shoe, prepped and ready to fill rotations the world over. Registered by Lacoste as the first of its kind, the design brings a distinct dynamism to the much-loved tennis shoe aesthetic, with a reinvention that comes from the heart of the brand.
The L001 is blessed with key details from the Lacoste archive, namely borrowed from the René, the first-ever shoe created by René Lacoste. A vintage tennis racquet from the 1980s is combined with the spirit of the René, inspiring the retro shape and mood of this new silhouette. In familiar court style, the upper keeps things clean, while an angular triangular design on the lateral side nods to the 'heart' (where the handle meets the head) of the racquet, invoking a sense of movement.
Look closely, and you’ll notice tributes to details and motifs seen in classic sportswear throughout history – understated stripes, subtle pops of primary hues, and a crisp white foundation just to name a few. As all white sneakers should, the L001 lets the silhouette itself do the talking, opting for subtle branded hits such as the debossed logo toward the lateral heel, and a patch on the tongue. Down below, white midsoles are complemented with another pop of colour on the outsole.
Safe to say, the L001 is an elegantly sporty package, that doesn’t lose sight of Lacoste’s central ethos. Dress ’em up, dress ’em down – the L001 is the next modern court classic.
The all new Lacoste L001 arrives on August 24, releasing exclusively in a range of colourways via .