Lacoste was founded by René Lacoste, a famous tennis player and two-time world champion in the sport. With significant experience on the court, he understood—through personal experience—how uncomfortable and impractical tennis uniforms of that time could be. One day, when Lacoste saw an acquaintance wearing a polo-style sports shirt during training, he followed his example. Very soon, all tennis players were already playing in polos.
The little crocodile, which became the brand’s symbol, appeared long before the official founding of the Lacoste and even before the concept of a “brand” fully existed. Lacoste once made a bet with a friend that he would win his next match, and placed a crocodile leather suitcase on the line. He lost the match, but due to his persistence and strong character, he earned the nickname “the Alligator.” That is how it all began.
At first, Lacoste was worn only by the wealthy and famous, but very soon it became accessible to a much wider audience. The company was the first to place its logo on the front of a polo shirt, a practice that later influenced many others, including brands such as Ralph Lauren.
Today, Lacoste is no longer limited to polo shirts and has expanded its range to include footwear, clothing, eyewear, and watches. Since 1984, the brand has also been producing fragrances designed for stylish, active, and energetic people.