The Lacoste LAB revives the tradition of innovation, an integral part of the brand’s DNA. Besides being a tennis champion, René Lacoste was also a great inventor and designer. In addition to the famous L.12.12 polo shirt he invented and designed for his own comfort and efficiency on court, he also created technical and revolutionary tennis rackets, balls, golf clubs and golf bags as well as the first ever tennis-ball throwing machine. The artifacts produced by the Lacoste LAB naturally build a bridge between the brand’s heritage and its future.

The Lacoste LAB projects the brand into the future and continues to give Lacoste a competitive edge. It prepares for tomorrow by identifying products which could potentially represent the future of the brand. ‘By seeking new materials and new designs, the LACOSTE LAB expands the ways in which Lacoste expresses itself and boldly takes the crocodile into fields which it has yet to venture’, explains Lacoste Design Director Christophe Pillet, who spearheads the LACOSTE LAB project.

As part of the Lacoste LAB Collection, the French brand collaborated with a series of global brands, each an expert in what they do. GPA Design produced a carbon fibre helmet, LOOK produced a bike, the surfboard was shaped by J.P. Stark and engineered by NOTOX, the skis are produced by Black Crows, the soccer and rugby balls are engineered by MITRE Sports out of Tensile fabric with embroidered crocodile logos and the boomerang is produced by 3B of thin birch plywood. The outcome is a beautiful collaborative collection, now in stock at colette.

Check out all products from the line after the jump.

Now we take a look at the Supreme Spring/Summer 2011 Accessories. As usual the New York brand gets creatives in this area. Next to collaborative biking gloves with Cinelli, they present water pistols, dog, bowls, Lezyne hand pumps, the skybounce balls and some dope keychains.

Check out all the Supreme Spring/Summer 2011 Accessories after the jump.

Japanese retailer Tomorrowland pays homage to the great color theorist of the 20th century – Verner Panton. Using some of his most iconic work Tomorrowland worked with a series of brands and partners to realize special product, including a 100% Bearbrick Set, a SFIDA soccer ball, a rug and two scarves. The product is now available through Stitch Tokyo.

Detailed images of the Verner Panton x Tomorrowland Collection follow after the jump.

Upper Playground announced the release of three new New Era pro fitted caps. The hats feature a new all-over, ornate burgundy on beige leaf design by Jeremy Fish (San Francisco), “Wallmask” by Sam Flores (San Francisco), and a new signature logo hat. Each hat is being released in a small specialty run batches.
They will also be releasing for the first time soccer balls. The first run has been designed by Herbert Baglione (Sao Paolo) and Sam Flores (SanFrancisco). In broadening Upper Playground’s collection of home and lifestyle items, the brand collaborated with the artists to individually design a soccer ball with their own iconic style. The soccer balls will retail for $80 each.
Check out the caps and the soccer balls in detail after the jump.