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LACOSTE staged a glamorous LT12 Party at the Elements Pool Lounge, InterContinental Regency Bahrain, to help celebrate the launch of its latest limited-edition tennis racket … and it proved to be mostly ‘all white’ on the night.
The event attracted the kingdom’s movers and shakers and members of the media and proved to be an ‘ace’ of a soiree.
No detail was left unchecked as guests were greeted by gorgeous sporty hosts and received numbered tennis balls to win cool Lacoste prizes.
After check-in attendees were ushered in front of a branded backdrop to take fun pictures with funky props and signs.
The venue was prepared with an athletic aesthetic and sophisticated ambience.
The latest sport and footwear collections were brightly lit in window displays and everyone had a chance to personalise a leather tag attached to a tennis-shoe bag which felt wonderfully exclusive.
The scene was created with white lounge beds, sparkling lights and green blow-up alligators that floated on the shimmering pool. Fashion videos and tennis matches were projected on the walls and graffiti artists created some cool pieces for spectators.
Lovely people chatted at tall lounge tables, sipping cocktails and picked at appys in casual-chic ensembles.
White was the most popular choice in dress colour and clean lines were prominent. Smooth live jazz music played in the background and some guests played tennis against the walls truly living Lacoste’s famous slogan, ‘Live your life as a beautiful sport’.
Lacoste’s history dates back to the 1920s with tennis legend Rene Lacoste. His inventions changed the entire sport and help revolutionise the clothing industry.
Born in 1904, he won 10 ‘Grand Slam titles’ at the French Open, Wimbledon and Forest Hills. A journalist nicknamed him ‘alligator’ which inspired the iconic logo then to be branded on all products.
After having invented the polo shirt and the tennis-ball machine, René decided to patent two racket models that would change the face of world tennis too.
The LT12 racket was inspired by his belief that true victory was to remain elegant whatever the effort; it reinvented the traditional racket by combining wood and graphite for the first time.
Entirely made by a French craftsman based in Albertville, today each racket takes five hours to produce. The wood is carefully selected, dried and carved into narrow 2.5mmx22mm bendable slats that show no visible flaw, whether notches, knots or dark stains, made of an even number of fibres.
These are then weighed, down to the gram, and sanded to one-tenth of a milligram to maintain a perfect density and surface.
The last part consists in assembling the pieces and the handle, wrapping the grip and finishing the racket. It is produced as a limited edition of only 650 numbered pieces, which are now available at around BD230 each.
“It is a rare and unique object. I like that it’s both vintage and modern. The combination of tradition and innovation keeps up with the Lacoste spirit,” said Guy Forget, former French professional tennis player.
Keen tennis players may be happy to splash out on the special rackets … but for many at the party the Lacoste sporty line will help them make a fashion point and keep them at an advantage.
