The true story of the "Crocodile" begins in 1927. René Lacoste, co-founder of the Lacoste brand, was nicknamed "the Alligator" by the American press after he made a bet with the Captain of the French Davis Cup Team concerning a suitcase made from alligator skin. The Captain promised to buy the suitcase for Lacoste if he won a very important match for his team. The public became fond of the nickname, which conveyed the tenacity Lacoste displayed on the tennis courts — never letting go of his prey. From that point on, Lacoste wore an embroidered crocodile on every blazer he wore on the courts. In 1933, Lacoste and André Gillier set up a company to manufacture logo-embroidered shirts featuring the ever-popular crocodile. This was the first time that a brand name appeared on the outside of an article of clothing — an idea that has since become extremely successful. This shirt revolutionized men’s sportswear and replaced the woven, long-sleeved, starched classic shirt on the court which is now known as the Classic Lacoste Polo. Today, the Lacoste brand continues to offer the same quality, comfort and uniqueness its name was originally built on.
The true story of the "Crocodile" begins in 1927. René Lacoste, co-founder of the Lacoste brand, was nicknamed "the Alligator" by the American press after he made a bet with the Captain of the French Davis Cup Team concerning a suitcase made from alligator skin. The Captain promised to buy the suitcase for Lacoste if he won a very important match for his team. The public became fond of the nickname, which conveyed the tenacity Lacoste displayed on the tennis courts — never letting go of his prey. From that point on, Lacoste wore an embroidered crocodile on every blazer he wore on the courts. In 1933, Lacoste and André Gillier set up a company to manufacture logo-embroidered shirts featuring the ever-popular crocodile. This was the first time that a brand name appeared on the outside of an article of clothing — an idea that has since become extremely successful. This shirt revolutionized men’s sportswear and replaced the woven, long-sleeved, starched classic shirt on the court which is now known as the Classic Lacoste Polo. Today, the Lacoste brand continues to offer the same quality, comfort and uniqueness its name was originally built on.
