Pelagia Kolotouros, at the creative helm of the brand, draws inspiration for the Spring/Summer 2026 collection from very specific moments: the athlete’s preparation or triumph, but also the in-between and the aftermath, those instances when champions shed their armor and become human again. We can distinguish distinct phases: first, the athlete is exposed to the public, instantly recognizable in their uniform; then come the intimate moments, the locker room, precisely. It is in these emotionally charged transitional spaces that the collection comes to life. Many elements of the show and its setting immediately evoke the familiar backstage of elite tennis and a shared everyday sporting reality. The entire concept aims to ground the garments in an atmosphere that’s slightly voyeuristic, a subtle play between public and private, between intimate ritual and collective observation. Lacoste SS26 is a celebration of the unfinished. This sense of incompleteness appears in the unbuttoned polos after a match, in the tracksuits that slip loosely down the hips. Kolotouros doesn’t shy away from imperfection, on the contrary, she embraces it. In this collection, every piece seems to be captured at the exact moment it ceases to serve performance and begins to clothe the person. It’s not just fashion, it’s a shedding of skin.
Watching the show, one is immediately struck by a sense of beauty and ease, expressed through silhouettes that are free, never forced: soft trench coats worn like robes off the court, wide-leg trousers with a vintage flair, and airy oversized polos in whisper-light nylon. Even the iconic Lacoste top is reimagined with a modern, playful twist, featuring slogans like Tennis for Everyone and Only for Tennis, subtly poking at the brand’s own identity. The Crocodile, the brand’s eternal and unmistakable emblem, evolves as well: new embroideries, inspired by the grassy texture of tennis courts, become small, refined works of French savoir-faire. It’s a way of honoring René Lacoste’s legacy without treating it as a distant relic. The Lenglen bag makes a comeback too, with racket-like handles and pleated-skirt-inspired details. For those drawn to the nostalgic charm of retro sportswear, the palette is a visual delight, a harmonious balance of vibrant oranges, archival blues, and earthy, deep greens. In this aesthetic universe, color becomes a defining element, capable of evoking memories and forging an emotional connection. Every shade tells a story, of a tennis court in the 1920s, perhaps, yet one that fits effortlessly into the now.
Finally, perhaps the most successful intuition of the season lies in its use of materials: the collection becomes a sensory exercise aimed at translating typical elements of the sports world into the garments themselves. A perfect example is the sheer organza, reminiscent of shower curtains swaying in the steam; glossy terry cloth plays with the idea of absorption, both physical and emotional. Other fabrics and materials, such as technical nylon, breezy poplin, rubberized cottons, and tropical wools, coexist in perfect harmony, thoughtfully layered and paired. SS26 is not just a collection, it’s an invitation to redefine how we perceive sport, fashion, and the body, imagining them in constant dialogue. Kolotouros shines a light on the idea of overcoming, not only the spectacular kind tied to victory, but the quieter, more profound act of breaking through rigid roles and outdated aesthetics.
There are places that speak before words can describe them. For the Spring/Summer 2026 show, Lacoste chooses to tell its story within one of these spaces: the historic Hall Eiffel of the Lycée Carnot, a late 19th-century iron-and-glass gem designed by Hector Degeorge, transformed for the occasion into an unexpected take on the locker room. Hence the name of the collection: The Locker Room. A near-theatrical setting, where tiled surfaces evoke iconic moments tied to tennis legends, from René Lacoste to contemporary athletes. But the locker room is more than just the physical space where players change before and after a match. It holds a deeper, symbolic meaning: a place of transition. Fogged glass and cascading shower curtains recreate a suspended atmosphere, the in-between moment where one shifts from person to athlete, and back again. It’s that instant when the adrenaline fades, and one returns to themselves. It’s also an intimate, protected space where athletes, away from the public eye, can finally be who they are. Lacoste SS26 fully inhabits this liminal dimension, capturing that rare moment when exertion melts away. It’s a tribute to sport as an emotional experience. This collection gently reminds us that true elegance often reveals itself precisely in the moment we step out of the role we’re expected to play.
