René Lacoste was a formidable tennis player. Feared by his opponents, he ended his career after a brilliant run in the 1920s. He then decided to launch his own clothing brand, still very much inspired by the world of sports. This is how the Lacoste polo shirt came about, in 1927. Nearly a century after its release, it remains one of the most coveted garments on the planet. Even better: it is the source of inspiration for a line of perfumes launched in 2011. In 2023, this line was expanded with a new creation named Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense.
In the world of tennis, some figures can claim to have made history. Such was the case of René Lacoste. Indeed, he was not only an outstanding professional tennis player, but he also left his permanent mark on sportswear. It is to him that we owe the timeless Lacoste polo shirt, now available in a multitude of colors and different cuts. In 2023, these iconic garments inspired the creation of a perfume and became Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense. Naturally, this perfume's connection to the Lacoste brand is clearly highlighted, particularly in its bottle.
The minimalist shape of the Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense bottle
With Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense, the emphasis is rather on minimalism. This men's perfume comes in a very streamlined bottle, devoid of any unnecessary detail. Its shape has, moreover, remained unchanged since the release of the very first Lacoste L.12.12, in 2011. More specifically, it is a glass cube with softened corners. This gives it a perfect grip and a certain softness. What is more, this also brilliantly echoes the shape of the Lacoste polo shirt. The whole is simply topped with a white cylindrical cap, paired with a silver-tone ring. The Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense spray bottle comes in sizes of 50 or 100 milliliters.
The crocodile, the absolute icon of the Lacoste house
Of course, the Lacoste crocodile is also present on this bottle. As a reminder, it owes its existence to René Lacoste's nickname on the tennis courts. To echo his tenacity during play, this is how the American press nicknamed him. When he created his polo shirt, René Lacoste was also the very first designer to dare to place his logo on the outside of one of his garments. Today, the crocodile appears on the chest of this bottle, just as it appears on the brand's T-shirts.
The story of Lacoste's petit piqué
But the crocodile is not the only element that contributed to the fame of the Lacoste polo shirt. This garment also became known thanks to its unique fabric: the petit piqué. This was at once elegant, breathable and very comfortable. It gave athletes real freedom of movement. This is also the pattern of this weave that is found in the glass of this bottle, engraved directly onto its walls.
The new green gradient of Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense
Finally, the last distinctive element of this men's perfume: its green color. The Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense bottle features a lovely gradient. Its base is quite dark, while its top is much lighter. This progresses up to a pristine white cap. The green color, meanwhile, is simply inseparable from the history of Lacoste. It is not only the shade of the crocodile, but it also recalls that of tennis balls, or the playing surface at Wimbledon, whose courts are made of natural grass.