Exclusive tennis collection launched at legendary South of France hotel
Venus Williams launched the new Lacoste x Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc collaboration collection, featuring polos, a miniskirt, and a racket, exclusively available at the renowned hotel.
This marks the first collaboration between the two French brands, capturing the tenniscore trend just in time for the Cannes Film Festival. The Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, known for hosting the annual amfAR gala and being a retreat for Cannes attendees, serves as the collection’s exclusive retail location.
“This establishment is as legendary as our crocodile is iconic,” said Catherine Spindler, Lacoste’s deputy chief executive officer. Spindler, who joined Lacoste in 2019, has focused on fashion-forward partnerships. “Our two houses share many commonalities. Tennis, from which Lacoste draws its origins, is also a strong element of the history of the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc.”
Founded by tennis player René Lacoste in 1923, the Lacoste label introduced its crocodile logo four years later, reflecting Lacoste’s nickname. The Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, with its five tennis courts built in 1923, features courts in the bright ochre color now associated with the French Open. The courts are surrounded by Aleppo pine trees.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, showcased the collection on the hotel’s courts, wearing classic tennis whites. She also stars in Lacoste’s “Play Big” campaign alongside Novak Djokovic, French actor Pierre Niney, Korean actor Ahn Hyo-seop, K-pop star Jeon Somi, and Chinese actor Wang Yibo.
The tenniscore trend has been popularized by Zendaya, who has sported tennis-inspired looks during the press tour for her film “Challengers.” According to Clearpay, sales of skorts have increased by 134 percent year-over-year, mini pleated skirts by 109 percent, and court dresses by 35 percent.
The collaboration includes polo shirts and hoodies featuring the Hôtel du Cap crest and Lacoste logo, as well as baseball caps, socks, beach towels, and a tennis racket. A pleated miniskirt designed for both on and off the court is also part of the collection.
The limited-edition collection will be available only at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc throughout the summer.