NEW YORK _ For fall/winter 2017, Lacoste shook up expectations with a sportswear collection inspired by astronaut suits mixed with a touch of '90s grunge.
This translated into baggy high-waisted trousers, iridescent ankle boots, sweaters and jackets splashed with scenes of outer space, as well as checkered lumberjack shirts and mohair cardigans reminiscent of Kurt Cobain's style. Functionality also was key. Some pieces were reversible, thanks to double-faced materials, while others were equipped with multiple pockets.
But utility didn't compromise style. Colorblocking in unexpected shades (ochre orange and lilac, for instance) and finishing details such as leather or cotton ribbing infused the collection with modernity.
The homage to the Space Age was a reference to the fashion house's namesake, Rene Lacoste, who joined the aircraft industry after his sporting career. He created Air Equipment, a company that contributed to the development of the Concorde and Airbus airliners. Current creative manager Felipe Oliveira Baptista also has an affinity for the skies because his father was a pilot.
