Five Questions for Benjamin Platret
The Man Behind the Lacoste French Play Vinyl
Benjamin Platret, the lead music curator at Libreville Editions and creator of the Lacoste French Play playlist, reflects on this special-edition vinyl release. The record is now available in limited quantities at Café Lacoste in Paris.
1 — What story does Lacoste French Play tell?
Benjamin Platret: The idea behind this vinyl is to take you somewhere. The compilation was conceived as a journey into a distinct universe. It’s retro yet modern, joyful and rhythmic, poetic, playful, light… the tracks move effortlessly between moods. It’s immersive — and full of surprises.
2 — What kind of tracks can we expect to hear?
B.P.: The overarching theme is a sense of musical travel, expressed through a spectrum of tones. Some tracks evoke the feeling of a season; others are more immediate, more sun-drenched. There’s hip-hop, too, and French artists whose slightly irreverent, offbeat spirit naturally echoes the brand’s style.
3 — What were the selection criteria?
B.P.: There were two. First, a subtle nod to Lacoste — whether through a track title, an artist’s name, a lyric, or an explicit reference to tennis, golf, or the crocodile. Second, a musical sensibility that resonates with the Lacoste universe.
4 — What steps were involved in shaping the final playlist?
B.P.: The research and final selection process was fairly intense. I began with 5,000 tracks that already met many of the criteria, then refined them into a carefully curated shortlist over the course of two months.
“The idea wasn’t to choose well-known stars, but to explore, to surprise — to offer something truly eclectic, something that would resonate differently from one generation to the next.”
5 — Why do you think vinyl is making a comeback?
B.P.: In a world where everything is dematerialised, I think we feel the need to own something tangible. Despite the evolution of formats, vinyl has endured because it creates a very different relationship with music. When you place a record on a turntable and lower the needle, it’s not passive. You’re not simply receiving the music — you’re activating it. It’s a commitment to listening. And beyond the music, the vinyl is an object — one that offers space to tell a story visually, too.
The Lacoste French Play Vinyl
The first-ever vinyl release from the French house, issued in a limited edition. With its bold graphic sleeve and eclectic track selection conceived as a journey, a tribute to Lacoste’s signature codes, this record is a true collector’s piece.
