A daring dip with "The Crocodile"

THAI FANS OF Lacoste got into the “swim” of the French clothing brand’s 80th anniversary celebrations with a pool party at the Sofitel So Bangkok last Wednesday.
The clothing saga that tenacious French tennis hero Rene “The Crocodile” Lacoste launched in 1933 with simple yet elegant shirts ideal for batting a ball around has had many intriguing chapters.
Andre Gillier, owner of France’s largest knitwear manufacturer, helped the tennis champ lob La Chemise Lacoste into the sky.
It was soon making coloured tennis shirts, not just white ones, along with comfy tops for golf and sailing, shoes, bags and even perfume.
The firm is now one of the top “sports apparel” brands in the business, always promising sporty flair and a youthful dash with that green crocodile sewn to the breast in Lacoste’s honour.
This year’s birthday parties are taking place in major cities all over the world. Bangkok opted to get wet and wild style at the Sofitel So, guests taking dips in the fashionably decorated pool while DJs played.
They could also spend a moment having Buncha Chuduang, the fashion editor at Priew magazine, choose a vintage Lacoste shirt for them to wear in a souvenir photo, or play petanque on a crocodile-shaped pitch.
Lacoste is this year also treating fans to a limited edition of 80 polo shirts, with only 12 available each month, starting on September 17, and a whole range of anniversary polo shirts, hats, shoes, bags, sunglasses and accessories.