Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

Not everything about the collection is quite so serious, though. A passion project of award- winning Portuguese designer Felipe Oliveira Baptista, the line features an eclectic mix of sportswear and more formal garments, providing ample proof that the Lacoste brand not just admirably accessible, but impressively versatile too. An additional testament to the collection’s more spirited side comes in the form of its distinctly nautical flavour. White and grey hues, together with various shades of blue, colour the majority of the pieces. The oceanic flair is bolstered even further thanks to the presence of geometric prints which, whimsically enough, are often reminiscent of sailor stripes. There are also a few more obvious odes to maritime merriment, such as the sailboat motif that’s occasionally present. These playful touches provide a nice contrast to the straightforward designs, while also ensuring a sense of cohesion throughout the whole collection; we can easily imagine putting together an entire outfit exclusively from pieces in this line. Actually, we can imagine putting together several. In that sense, the ready-to-wear nature of this collection is a savvy move, and one that definitely succeeds in playing to Lacoste’s strengths as a brand. Practicality is one area where they have always had an advantage over their competitors, and this is something which Baptista thankfully seems to be acutely aware of. The line, though undeniably full of great pieces, also has the kind of relaxed, casual feel that’s often sorely missing in menswear collections from major designers. These pieces, in addition to being visually stunning, actually feel wearable. And honestly, if there’s a better, more alluring endorsement of a high fashion clothing line than that, we’re not sure what it could possibly be. 2 2 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I