Lacoste was founded by tennis champion René Lacoste and André Gillier in 1933.
René Lacoste was a leading French tennis player whose nickname was “the Crocodile.” The nickname inspired the crocodile emblem that became one of fashion’s best-known logos. Lacoste and textile manufacturer André Gillier developed a lightweight knitted cotton shirt for tennis, helping establish the modern polo shirt as a sportswear staple.
The company was initially called La Chemise Lacoste. Its crocodile logo was notable because it was placed on the outside of the garment, an unusual branding decision at the time. The brand later expanded beyond tennis shirts into clothing, footwear, fragrances, and accessories.
Lacoste is often grouped with sportswear labels such as Fred Perry, but the crocodile emblem and René Lacoste’s tennis career distinguish it. Fred Perry was founded by the British tennis player of that name, while Lacoste began in France.