The birth of a crocodile
The story of a bet, a journalist and a determined player.
The Crocodile's First Steps
Boston, 1923. René Lacoste, the young tennis prodigy, is 19 and loves a challenge. His team captain promises him the crocodile leather suitcase the player had admired in a shop window if he wins the upcoming match. René loses, but plays with the tenacity of a crocodile, leading an American journalist to give him this nickname.
The crocodile becomes a symbol
The crocodile took its current form in 1927, drawn by designer Robert George. René Lacoste was an early fan of personalised items and immediately had the logo embroidered on his jackets. A few years later, the polo shirt saw the light of day. With the crocodile over the heart, Lacoste became the first brand to have a visible logo on a garment.