Boucheron’s birthday present to Lacoste

 

Happy birthday! French Maison Lacoste turns 80! For its 80th anniversary, Lacoste has invited nine French houses to join the festivities. Inspired by the crocodile, every brand has created an exclusive gift, reflecting their affectionate respect for the brand’s universe. These unique objects are symbols of the craftsmanship, expertise and know-how of some of the greatest names in French luxury, like Baccarat, Bernardaud, Christofle, Goyard, Hermès, S.T. Dupont, and Boucheron….

What began 80 years ago as one product defined by a crocodile – the iconic polo – has evolved into a lifestyle. In celebration of Lacoste’s milestone anniversary, the brand has teamed up with the nobility of French heritage maisons to produce Maisons Françaises, a collection of nine notable objets – all commemorating the crocodile.

In 2018, Maison Boucheron will be celebrating 160 years of design and creation. Founded in 1858 by Frédéric Boucheron, it is the oldest jewelry Maison in Place Vendôme. Famous throughout the world for its bold, free style, Boucheron has conquered women’s hearts by offering ever more creative jewelry set with characterful stones.

For almost 160 years, Boucheron has been channeling its expertise into the materials it uses. Recognized as a great sculptor of gold, the Maison has always given priority to working this metal whose magnificence is revealed beneath the artisans’ hands. In the Serpent Bohème collection, the animal is not represented figuratively, but symbolically, making the work of the Maison’s goldsmiths all the more important.
To bring the material to life, the chasers push the metal into shape using hammers and chasing tools. In so doing, the jewelry itself comes to life.

 

For Lacoste’s 80th anniversary, Boucheron created two brooches inspired by the legendary crocodile. Our readers have seen them before here – together with the other ‘birthday items’ – but now I have some little more details of my favorite items of the collection I would like to share with you.

One made of emeralds and Ruby’s, and one of diamonds. They are a tribute to 80 years of unconventional chic, an extraordinary homage to Lacoste’s sense of innovation and excellence. These jewels are a modern interpretation of the Boucheron brooch René Lacoste gifted his wife, made by Boucheron.

The Boucheron brooches – plus the other Maisons Françaises notable objets, that includes crystalware, jewellery, sporting items, totes, and even eclairs – will be on display at Colette in Paris until June 15.

The selection from Boucheron, Christofle, Bernardaud, and S.T. Dupont will be available for order should you be interested in making one of the specialty items your own, while the Hermès, Goyard, Baccarat, and Veuve Clicquot, pieces will be kept in the Lacoste archives, hopefully appearing at the 80th-anniversary fete set for September.

Come into the beautiful worlds of Boucheron and Lacoste.

 

 

 

 

 

Lacoste + Maisons Francaises 80th Anniversary Collection

 

There are collaborations, and then there are collaborations that blow your mind. This, the Lacoste x Maisons Francaises collection, has certainly done that and more. In celebration of the French fashion house’s 80th anniversary, they invited 9 French houses (collectively known as Maisons Francaises), which created one-of-a-kind masterpieces for them, most of which will (sadly) never be sold to the public.

These unique objects are symbols of the craftsmanship, expertise and know-how of some of the greatest names in French luxury.

A common theme in all the precious pieces created for Lacoste features either the brand’s corporate hues, its iconic crocodile and/or a tribute to its heritage, which includes sporting apparel for tennis, golf and sailing.

Lacoste x S.T. Dupont gift set

Take S.T. Dupont’s purposely mysterious set in pristine white and lawn green for example, filled with a beautiful lighter Ligne 2, two candles, a notebook and two pens: Elysée and Classique, an ideal kit for any sportsman (or man for that matter).

Lacoste x Baccarat bowl

Maison Baccarat created a crystal vase inspired by the tennis and golf trophies that René Lacoste, his wife, daughter, and all of the Lacoste champions ever since, held high above their head. The design of this work of art is reminiscent of the prevalent shapes of the 1930s.

And then there’s the stunning crystal bowl from Baccarat, which reminds me of a deconstructed tennis ball. Last but not least, my third most favourite piece from the collaboration, this pair of Boucheron brooches in the shape of the crocodile that’s made up of diamonds and emeralds, fitting because René Lacoste once gifted his wife with a brooch from Boucheron.

Lacoste x Boucheron diamomd and emerald brooches

Maison Boucheron created two brooches inspired by the legendary crocodile. Made of diamonds and emeralds, these jewels are a modern interpretation of the Boucheron brooch René Lacoste gifted his wife.

 

Lacoste x Christofle sterling silver club

Maison Christofle pays tribute to Lacoste by producing a silver golf club.

 

Lacoste x Hermès tennis crocodile bag

Maison Hermès offers Lacoste a crocodile-skin tennis bag.

 

Lacoste x Goyard travel bag

The Maison Goyard travel bag with a crocodile and chevron-patterned monogram.

 

Lacoste x Bernardaud golf tees

René Lacoste married golf legend Simone Thion de la Chaume and Bernardaud presents 27 colourful golf tees inspired by the joyful palette of the Lacoste polo. Until the 1950s, the Lacoste polo was only produced in white, but today, about 60 colors are available every season.

 

Lacoste x Veuve Clicquot personalised Champagne 

The popping cork of champagne, on the night of the anniversary, should echo the noise of a golf ball dropping in the hole on a golf course. As such Veuve Clicquot manufactured a special trolley.

Lacoste x Fauchon chocolate eclairs

Fauchon celebrates Lacoste’s 80th with its signature pastry: the éclair. Flavours include green tea, almond, vanilla, and lemon and strawberry. The finishing touch is a marshmallow crocodile. I’m sure are as tasty as they look.

The selection from Christofle, Bernardaud, Boucheron, and S.T. Dupont will be available for order should you be interested in making one of the specialty items your own, while the Hermès, Goyard, Baccarat, and Veuve Clicquot pieces will be kept in the Lacoste archives, hopefully appearing at the 80th-anniversary fete set for September.

The collection, although unavailable to buy, will go on display from June 10 until June 15 at Colette in Paris. Check them out here via Lacoste.