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Lacoste Releases Limited Edition Crocodile Mythology Collection
March 25, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
For over 75 years the LACOSTE brand has been associated with Crocodiles. It began in 1925, when Rene Lacoste, the founder of the brand, made a bet with Pierre Gillou, the French Davis Team Captain, the prize being a crocodile skin suitcase that Rene had spotted in the shops of Boston. To win the bet Rene Lacoste had to win his next Davis Cup match against the Australian player Anderson, during the days that followed the story of the bet was recounted to George Carens a local journalist. Following the match, which Rene Lacoste did not win, Mr Carens wrote "The young Lacoste has not won his Crocodile skin suitcase but he fought like a real crocodile". The nickname stuck and Rene Lacoste adopted the crocodile as his emblem and soon had a crocodile embroidered onto the outside pocket of his jacket and the legendary brand logo was born.
To commemorate this association LACOSTE are releasing a collection of 9 shoes that celebrate the legend of Rene Lacoste and the Mythologies surrounding crocodiles around the world.
(please see all below)
The shoes will be released over three months and will only be available from an exclusive selection of stores globally.
Each shoe is packaged in a special edition box and contains a booklet and postcard pack which outlines the stories behind the myth and the legend of Lacoste.
Short films have also been produced to tell the story of the LACOSTE crocodiles around the globe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNM7t8Phsuc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QRGrmybaA8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HrczZNjpqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCmvqGSIRCo
For April, the shoes take inspiration from EGYPT, POLYNISIA and WEST AFRICA:
Tiller Egypt:
In Ancient Egypt, Sobek, the half man, half crocodile was a powerful and frightening symbol. Egyptians believed that Sobek came from the waters and created the Earth. Sobek was the symbol of the Nile and all the produce that it creates. Today the Nile crocodile is of the fiercest in the world, averaging 6 metres in length and feeding on a variety of buffalo, hippos and other animals that drink along the banks of the Nile.
The Tiller Egypt takes its green colour from the belly of the Nile Crocodile. The shoe has a canvas upper perfect for wear in hot climates with laser etched pyramid details which are constructed from a crocodile pattern.
Tennis Polynesia:
In Melanesia the crocodile is associated with the creation of the world. The Kawai people of Papua New Guinea believe that they are descendants of Nuga, a half man, half crocodile creature created long ago from a piece of wood. Today the New Guinea crocodile can be found in the region where it inhabits freshwater swamps feeding on fish and water birds.
The Tennis Polynesia is features different tones of brown leather to replicate the brownish tones of the New Guinea Crocodile and the wood carvings of Nuga. The leather has a mock croc appearance with a heel tab that features a laser etched pattern of traditional carvings. The bright pink colour pops were inspired by ceremonial headdress of the local tribes.
Tennis 91 West Africa:
Legend tells us of a little girl called Marama who was forced to visit a dangerous river by her Step-Mother to wash her pestle. Whilst at the river, Marama was visited by an enormous crocodile who took pity on the small child and awarded her protection from all the dangers of the river. Marama began to wash her pestle but it was so heavy she dropped it into the water, the same crocodile appeared again and presented her with a gold and silver pestle which she took home. Her greedy Step Mother grabbed another pestle and went to the river. She never returned.
Today the area is home to the Cataphractus crocodile This slender snouted crocodile is clad in an amour of protective scales and is considered a sacred and protected animal. In many areas crocodile ceremonies are held where chickens are sacrificed for the crocodiles.
The Tennis 91 takes inspiration from colourful clothing worn by the local children of the area. The shoe is predominately blue with graphic patterns on the toe and the sole made up from the colours of the Togo flag.
JAPAN, INDIA and AMAZONIA:
Rene Lacoste Japan:
This Myth tells us the story of a blind man who was left to drown in the sea by his cruel sons. The next morning when his kind daughters went to look for him they were delighted to find him alive and well. He told them the story that an enormous crocodile had come out of the sea and rescued him. In gratitude they sacrificed a calf for the crocodile and immediately the man's sight was restored. The evil sons planned a fishing trip to celebrate their new inherited wealth and whilst out on the water were drowned by a sudden typhoon. The father lived a long happy life with his loving daughters.
The Rene Lacoste is inspired from the traditional Japanese silk kimono. The upper fabric has a satin feel to it whilst the print is a digital interpretation of a crocodile skin print.
Ogata India:
In an ancient Indian myth the Mugger Crocodile played a crucial role in the legend of Hindu philosopher Shankara. One day whilst bathing in a river a crocodile attacked Shankara, his mother was nearby but unable to help so Shankara asked her permission to renounce the world so he could pursue a spiritual life from the moment of his death. His mother agreed so Shankara began reciting his mantras miraculously the crocodile released him and swam away. Shankara emerged unscathed from the water and from that day continued his life as a spiritual leader. Today the Mugger crocodiles continue to live throughout the Indian subcontinent. The name Mugger is derived from the Hindu word Magar which translates as water monster.
The Ogata India was inspired by the local cultures in India. The ornate stitching on the upper is based on the motifs and iconography found in Hindu temples whilst the bright pink highlights are emotive of the local textile colours. The grey leather shoe outlines have a crocodile pattern embossed on them and the colours come from colour of the Mugger croc.
Ibizia Amazonia:
The Karaja Indians of Western Amazonia, in Brazil see the crocodile as a friend which helps mothers and children cross dangerous waters. Today the Black crocodile still inhabits this area of Brazil. It is the largest species of crocodile reaching an average of 6 meters.
The Ibiza Amazonia takes its colouring from the crocodile with a black reptile pattern leather used across the upper. Bright yellow colour pops represent the yellow of the Brazilian flag and the graphic pattern around the shoe and the inner sock was inspired by tribal designs of the Karaja Indians.
NYC and LAKE VENDA, SOUTH AFRICA:
Revan 3 NYC:
It has been rumoured for decades that young crocodiles brought back from holidays in Florida were disposed of down toilets once they grew too big or their owners got bored of them. Stories tell us that the crocodiles continue to live in the sewers growing to a huge size. Although many sightings have been reported none have ever been confirmed.
The Revan NYC has been created in two colourways, both on a black leather upper, the blue highlights are inspired by the uniform of the New York Police and the yellow is a comical take on the toxic waste within the New York sewers. Both shoes have a gloss croc pattern across the upper and feature an etched manhole cover graphic on the heel. The croc pattern continues onto the side of the sole with the colour highlights also appearing as part of the sole pattern.
Missouri Albino:
Myth tells us of the sacred Lake Venda in South Africa which was shared by a python and a albino crocodile. The lake was considered sacred and virgin Venda maidens offered themselves to the lake in order to receive a fertility blessing. Nowadays young Venda Maidens still dance at the lake in honour of the God of Fertility. Today Albino crocodiles are very rare in the wild as the lack of pigment in their skins makes it very difficult for them to survive under the African sun.
In honour of the Albino Crocodile, the Missouri has an upper constructed from different material mixes all in white. The bright colour pops on the in-sock, sole and surround of the shoe top are taken from the traditional clothing of the Venda tribe. Additional pairs of laces are included in each of the bright colour pops.
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