Portuguese artistic director, Felipe Oliveira Baptista (—the name just oozes sex appeal, no?) is more likely to be spotted perusing Paris marché aux puces, Port de Clignancourt. But since 2010, he treks to New York two times a year to present his collection for Lacoste. The Observer, was regrettably about to miss this momentous event… But thanks to some really athletic sprinting through the snow, we blazed into Lincoln Center at 10:27am. We spotted Leigh Lazark’s hair getting flurried by the impressive rectangular-shaped snow globe that stretched the entire center aisle… How appropriate: snow—something that is sadly lacking this winter.
“Who is that with the massive studs?” we asked a clueless Japanese editor.
“Ramses Barden! New York Giants, wide-receiver,” snarled some dude one row back.
Excuse me! We’re staunch Patriots fans…
Moving on!
Oliveira Baptista strives to maintain Lacoste’s prestige within the fashion community with his designs; while also giving label a touch of edge. It works allegedly: The sporty/preppy institution still has robust sales (especially on the Eastern seaboard), boasted Lacoste employee, Giselle Bueno, with a smirk.
In terms of the clothing, think the “rugby dress meets ski-suit.”
“We looked into the archives; Lacoste had dressed the [national] ski team in the late ‘60s. So there were photos of the family in Chamonix[-Mont-Blanc] and they were very chic…” explained the designer.
“It’s very relevant and empowering,” Monsieur Oliveira Baptista continued.
“The idea is that it could be worn every day of the week. A women and a guy could wear them every day.”
We’re not sure if Mr. Barden can pull these looks off… but Leigh Lazark sure could. See you in Vail bitches!
Images courtesy Lacoste/Yannis Vlamos.