LACOSTE Mercedes Benz Fashion Week The Tents at Bryant Park February 3, 2007 mercedesbenzfashionweek.com Written by Bob Bland Photographed by Evens Lamour

The backdrop at Lacoste's Fall 2007 show was a photographic landscape of the great outdoors evoking 1970's Brittany, complete with a yellow vintage Citroën nestled in the corner. Warm lighting and carefree music drifted around the Tent, as models crunched through a layer of autumn leaves covering the runway. The collection had a distinctly Girl Scout/Boy Scout campy feeling- strong themes included nautical details and fabric, washed out pastels, grandpa sweaters and berets galore. Inspired by iconic French films like Cesar and Rosalie, designer Christophe Lemarie took a vacation from his clean, bright look for Spring in favor of warm, muted color combinations and soft, fuzzy fabrics.

For women, standout looks included sweater knit jumpsuits, a striped twinset minidress and several variations on the wool cape. For men, strong layering options included monchromatic plaid flannels, shawl-collared cardigans and shearling lined bombers over slim, washed-out denim or corduroy trousers.

Though the cute berets and vintage accessories became a bit too precious by the end of the 60+ look show, Lemarie’s statement was more cohesive and clear than the majority of New York sportswear collections shown this season. Don’t throw away your classic Lacoste colors yet, but be prepared for a leisurely trip to the French countryside this Fall.