French sportswear brand Lacoste recently unveiled its L.12.12 Polo Merci shirt, a limited edition garment designed by the brand's Creative Director Louise Trotter. The exclusive polo shirt is accented with embroidered heart detailing that surrounds Lacoste's iconic crocodile insignia and is representative of the "brand's admiration for those who are risking their lives to save others and its ongoing commitment to help those affected" by COVID-19.
In addition to supporting healthcare workers with over 200,000 fabric masks that were created in its factories in France and Argentina, Lacoste will donate sales from its solidarity-themed L.12.12 Polo Merci shirt to the Lacoste Fund. The charitable initiative is centered around helping those affected by the pandemic including healthcare workers, small business owners and other Lacoste community members across the globe.
Pandemic-Supporting Polo Shirts
The Lacoste 'L.12.12 Polo Merci' Polo Will Raise COVID-19 Funds
Trend Themes
1. Charitable Fashion - Designing and offering limited edition garments and other accessories with exclusive and creative designs for a charitable cause could be a disruptive opportunity for sportswear brands and other industries, especially during pandemic and crisis situations.
2. Community-driven Initiatives - Launching COVID-19 related community-driven initiatives, such as donating sales to a designated fund that supports both healthcare workers and small business owners impacted by the pandemic, could provide disruption to fashion or retail industries.
3. Corporate Social Responsibility - Fostering brand loyalty by taking corporate social responsibility seriously and being active in charitable causes or initiatives that are related to certain industries or regions could be a game-changer for businesses across various sectors, especially during crises.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Retail - Retailers could offer limited edition apparel and accessories that not only appeal to consumers seeking unique designs but also contribute to social responsibility causes and community building initiatives.
2. Healthcare - Healthcare companies or organizations could explore partnerships with sportswear brands or retailers to support workers combating the pandemic with special fashion collections or fundraising events.
3. Small Business - Collaborating with fashion or retail companies or engaging in corporate social responsibility could provide funding or support to small businesses financially affected by the pandemic.