Lacoste walks the iconic Met Gala steps

Since 1948, the Met Gala has brought together around 450 notable figures at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The charitable dinner raises funds for the museum’s Costume Institute—its fashion-focused wing—while also marking the opening of its annual exhibition. It’s a global stage where designers tell their stories and showcase the most creative sides of their craft. In 2025, for the first time, Lacoste joined the movement. A true milestone for the crocodile brand, which has been crafting a more embodied, refined, and empowered womenswear silhouette over the past several seasons.

For its debut at the Met Gala, Lacoste dressed one of its most iconic ambassadors: Venus Williams. Tennis legend, champion of women’s rights and an inventive entrepreneur – an icon. Venus is a multi-faceted force, embodying a unique blend of athleticism and personal style. Her Met Gala look, imagined by Lacoste, drew from key figures central to the theme—from André Leon Talley’s flair to Joséphine Baker dubbed the “Black Venus”. Designed in a kelp green as a nod to the brand’s heritage, the silhouette plays with volume and delivers a bold interpretation of the evening’s dress code: Tailored for You.

First, a piqué-inspired embroidery applied on the polo collar and placket of a contoured bodysuit -crafted by Atelier Baqué Molinié, a Paris-based textile design studio renowned for its embroidery expertise. The tailored cloth is embellished with no fewer than 1,500 pierced crystals, 1,500 sequins, 2,800 Toupies, and 11,200 round beads. The tailored silk wool blend skirt with sunburst-pleated flaunts movement, short in the front and long in the back —requiring 30 meters of fabric, skillfully handled by Lemarié. This latest high-profile collaboration reinforces the close relationship between Lacoste and the historic French maison d’art, founded in 1880 and famed for its pleating expertise.

The two pieces are enveloped by a dramatic robe-inspired coat, 10,000 reflective micro-metal squares embroidered on the shawl collar and cuff capturing the night life of the Roaring 1920’s . Voluminous and sculptural, it blends technical materials with the timeless and joyous elegance of the dandy silhouette. A true work of art, the ensemble demanded over 1,000 hours of craftsmanship, 18,000 seed beads, 54,000 sequins, and 36,000 microtubes. As a final touch, Venus Williams’ initials (VW) were hand-embroidered on the chest of the robe. Completing the full dandy inspired look are heels trimmed with leather pleats along the outsole with encrusted crystals beads and a minaudière bag completed the look.

— Venus Williams: “I’m so excited to be back at the Met Gala this year, especially with Lacoste for their incredible debut. Collaborating with Pelagia on this custom look made the night even more special. We’ve worked together for years, and this felt like such a full-circle moment. I’m honored to represent a brand that I admire so much on a night that celebrates creativity, history, art and fashion.”

When it came to hairstyling, hair stylist Araxi Lindsey drew inspiration from the shorter haircuts of the 1920s… as well as from archival images of Venus Williams. Here, a crisscross pattern slicks the athlete’s hair flat—a nod to the Roaring Twenties that also blends retro heritage with the rich symbolism of traditional African hairstyles.

Venus Williams’ partner for this iconic evening, Lacoste’s Creative Director also ascended the steps of the 2025 Met Gala. Her look? A boyish double-breasted fitted blazer with flooded pleated trousers crafted from green vert mohair wool blend. Taking things a step further, the designer reimagined her own silhouette. Draped over her shoulder: a three dimensional crocodile crafted by Baqué Molinié, molded directly on her body… Yet another showcase of Lacoste’s couture savoir-faire.

— Pelagia Kolotouros: “It’s an honor for me to take part in this 2025 edition of the Met Gala. Lacoste deeply identifies with the celebration of clothing as a true vessel of history and craftsmanship—just as this year’s theme invites us to reflect. I’m especially proud to be part of this event alongside an icon of both fashion and sport, as embodied so powerfully by Venus Williams.”