The Aesthetic: Sport as Sanctuary

Mhlengi Mafu

Lacoste’s Spring/Summer 2026 show—presented under the title The Locker Room—was less about high drama and more about revealing what happens before the spotlight hits. Theブランド transformed the Hall Eiffel at Lycée Carnot—a glass-and-iron gem constructed by architect Hector Degeorge in 1895—into an immersive locker room. Cascading shower curtains, steamed curved glass panels, pristine white tile floors edged in Lacoste green—all evoked those behind-the-scenes rituals where athletes psych themselves up (or calm down). It’s a liminal space, hovering between victory and defeat.

That decision—to spotlight the locker room, rather than the court—felt unconventional yet entirely on brand. It pushed spectators into Lacoste’s inner world, not the public one, reframing sport as something emotional, intimate, even vulnerable.

Creative Minds & Heritage

At the helm of this vision is Pelagia Kolotouros, Lacoste’s Creative Director (now in her fourth season with the house). Her approach here leans into the brand’s athletic DNA—less about flashy showmanship, more about mood, ritual, the things we don’t usually see.

Of course, the roots trace back to René Lacoste, the tennis legend who, with André Gillier, founded the brand in 1933. René’s own life was intertwined with the court, and the spirit of tennis underlies Lacoste’s DNA—so placing the locker room at the heart of the runway felt like a return to fundamentals.

What Was Showcased: The Clothes, Colors & Details

In line with the theme of preparation and shedding, key looks played on undone states of dress. Think: unbuttoned polos, loosely tied track pants, terry-cloth skirts wrapped over pants, overlaying sheer organza textures that evoke steam or wet glass. Wet-look leathers and reflective tech silks conjured the idea of dampness or post-shower glow. There were whispers on pieces: “Tennis for Everyone” and “Only for Tennis,” little gestures that nod to Lacoste’s tradition.

Colors ranged from frosted neutrals, soft taupes and olives, to archival Lacoste blue and vibrant pops of burnt orange—likely a nod to clay court surfaces. Accessories got sporty reworked: handle grips reminiscent of racket grips, a revival of the Lenglen bag updated with new handles.

What stood out was the balance between rawness and polish—the undone touches felt intentional, not careless.

The Iconic Locker Room as Stage & Symbol

The locker room set was more than a backdrop—it was a storytelling device. Historically, locker rooms in sporting culture are places of transformation: where athletes cool down, psych up, reflect. Here, Lacoste turned that backstage realm into the front act. That shift in staging feels radical in its quietness: the ritual, not the result, is under the lens.

By choosing the locker room, the show revisits Lacoste’s roots—not in grand stadiums but in training, in effort, in the private moments that define greatness. It’s a reminder that the brand was born from a tennis mind, and that its identity is deeply connected to the inward journey of athletes, not just their outward wins.

Djokovic, “GOAT” & A Logo Reimagined

No commentary on Lacoste today is complete without the Novak Djokovic chapter. The tennis GOAT has been a face of Lacoste for years. To honor him, Lacoste launched a special capsule collection replacing the signature crocodile with a GOAT emblem. A bold, playful pivot for a brand so tied to its animal identity.

One standout: the Unisex Lacoste × Novak Djokovic “GOAT” Hooded Jacket, constructed in water-repellent diamond taffeta, with both the goat logo and the traditional crocodile present. It signals both respect for heritage and affirmation of Djokovic’s status. For a moment, the crocodile yields center stage—though only temporarily—to underscore athletic legend.

The Classic Ending Thoughts

Lacoste SS26 The Locker Room wasn’t about spectacle. It was quiet, thoughtful, almost meditative in its staging: a fashion show that invited us in, behind the curtain, into the intimate spaces where discipline, nerves, humility, and ambition converge.

The clothes whispered more than they roared; the set was not a playground but a confession booth. And by pairing that with a nod to Djokovic’s GOAT status, Lacoste showed itself comfortable embracing both its legacy and playful experimentation.