New York Fashion Week 2012 attendees probably did not expect snow inside the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
tent on Saturday, but that is exactly what they got. Lacoste created a dazzling Winter Wonderland for its Fall 2012 runway set. The décor was everything a Winter Wonderland should be - with two cellophane vitrines in the middle of the runway resembling block of ice, fake snow falls and jolly holiday tunes tinkling in the background. Once the show started, it was clear the winter theme would stick. Models were dressed in a collection inspired by Lacoste's 1966 contract to outfit France's national ski team. Lacoste is a French tennis brand, known for its athletic wear and crocodile logo. The Fall 2012 collection was seemingly inspired by the 60s. The Lacoste collection showed quilted leather jackets, cloche hats, elbow- and bell-sleeves, high necks, jumpers and multi-colored tweed fabric. It was a decidedly sophisticated turn for the sporty brand. "I found these amazing knits in the archives, and there were some photos of René Lacoste and the family in the thirties in tweeds so I remixed that - but I made it all for today," said Felipe Oliviera Baptista backstage on Saturday to The Telegraph
. They are clothes that you can live in but have a great fit and a great look as well: empowering clothes." Models looked windblown and fresh, showing off clean faces, rosy cheeks and effortless hair. On their feet were leather platform booties and boots. The looks were sleek and, in spite of athletic wear, quite sexy. Lacoste's Fall 2012 collection is certainly not something to keep holed up in a ski lodge.