Lacoste Clothing

Founded in 1933, Lacoste is a French apparel company headquartered at London, Britain, with its production unit at Troyes, France. The company is currently owned by the Portland Group of Britain. The company's ancestral roots lead to its founder, famous tennis player Ren'© Lacoste. During the 1926 U.S. Open Championship, Ren'© Lacoste wore his creation: a white, short-sleeve shirt made of a light-knitted fabric called 'jersey petit piqu'©' that had the ability to absorb moisture. This shirt marked the very first version of performance clothing in sports. The American press nicknamed Lacoste 'Le Crocodile' and the nickname stuck due to his tenacious performance on court. His friend, Robert George, drew a crocodile which Lacoste embroidered on the blazer that he wore on court. After retiring from tennis, Lacoste started the industrial production of the crocodile logo polo shirt, in collaboration with knitwear manufacturer Andr'© Gillier. The first Lacoste shirts were all white and short-sleeved in a fabric that became symbolic of the brand, the 'jersey petit pique' knit. In 1951, amidst expansion, the company infused some colors in the shirts. Some of the classic colors include crimson and lime green. In 1952, the shirts were exported to the United States. Along with tennis shirts, Lacoste also designs and markets shirts for golf and sailing. Now, three segments of Lacoste clothing are available: men, women (club or sportswear) and children. Skirts, pants, jackets, shorts, dresses and swimsuits are marketed under the crocodile logo. The Lacoste logo is detailed with the crocodile having visible claws and a pointy thin tail. Exclusive to genuine Lacoste, the buttons are made out of mother-of-pearls.