Taylor Zakhar Perez is getting caught in the middle of a stylish new moment with Lacoste. The French fashion house has unveiled its latest underwear campaign, and the Red, White & Royal Blue star is at the center of a playful, intimate shoot set inside a Parisian gym's changing room. The campaign marks another chapter in Perez's relationship with the brand, which began when he was named an official ambassador in January 2025.

For this new project, Lacoste assembled a notable creative team. The actor was photographed by Angelo Pennetta, known for his crisp yet personal fashion imagery, while Simon Cain directed the accompanying film. Styling came from Jason Bolden, one of the most sought-after stylists in Hollywood. The collaboration brings together a group of artists who understand how to make a fashion campaign feel cinematic and spontaneous.

The concept for the shoot is simple but effective. Perez is shown in a gym changing room, often in the middle of getting dressed or undressed. There is a candid quality to the images, as if the camera happened to catch an unguarded moment. That feeling of being caught is exactly what the brand seems to be going for. It makes the underwear look like something worn every day, not just for a photo shoot.

In a statement, Perez spoke about what the campaign means to him. He said, “Accompanying Lacoste through its shows, cultural moments, and special projects over the past year has been deeply meaningful to me.” He added that the new project feels “intimate, powerful, and very sincere,” and that it celebrates “confidence, craftsmanship, and the quiet strength of Lacoste's heritage reimagined boldly for today.”

His enthusiasm for the partnership is clear. “Each collaboration has felt deeply intentional, fostering a strong partnership that this campaign reveals with playful, vibrant energy,” the actor remarked. He also expressed gratitude, saying, “I'm so grateful to Lacoste for the trust and creativity this year. My quiet hope is that this campaign leads to more private moments of effortless abandon.”

Key facts at a glance

• Taylor Zakhar Perez stars in Lacoste's new underwear campaign.
• The shoot was photographed by Angelo Pennetta and filmed by Simon Cain.
• Jason Bolden handled styling for the campaign.
• The setting is a Parisian gym changing room.
• Perez has been a Lacoste brand ambassador since January 2025.
• The campaign promotes the “Crocodile Style” underwear collection.

A career on the rise

Taylor Zakhar Perez has become one of the most recognizable young actors in the romantic comedy space. Born in Chicago, he spent years working in television and film before landing the roles that would change his career. He first caught the attention of global audiences in Netflix's The Kissing Booth 2, where he played the charming and competitive Marco Peña. The film was a massive hit, and Perez returned for the third installment, The Kissing Booth 3, which gave his character a more substantial arc.

But it was his starring role in Red, White & Royal Blue that truly made him a star. The film, based on the bestselling novel by Casey McQuiston, premiered on Prime Video and quickly became one of the platform's most talked-about releases. Perez played Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the first female president of the United States, who begins a secret relationship with a British prince played by Nicholas Galitzine. The movie was praised for its chemistry, humor, and uplifting tone, and Perez became a fan favorite in the process.

Since then, Perez has carefully chosen projects that suit his strengths. He has been linked to several upcoming films and series, though he has also made fashion a significant part of his public identity. His partnership with Lacoste is arguably his highest-profile fashion collaboration to date, and it reflects a broader trend of actors becoming brand ambassadors not just for their clothing choices but for their cultural influence.

The sequel to Red, White & Royal Blue, titled Red, White & Royal Wedding, has been in development, and fans have been eagerly awaiting news. While plot details are still being kept under wraps, the project represents a key part of Perez's immediate future. His ability to combine acting, style, and social media presence makes him a versatile figure in entertainment, and that versatility is one of the reasons Lacoste chose him to front this campaign.

Lacoste's heritage and modern ambitions

Lacoste has a long and storied history in sportswear. Founded in 1933 by tennis player René Lacoste and André Gillier, the brand built its reputation on the invention of the polo shirt and the iconic crocodile logo. Over the decades, Lacoste has remained a symbol of preppy elegance and French style. It has dressed everyone from tennis legends to Hollywood stars, and its influence extends far beyond the athletic field.

In recent years, the brand has worked hard to modernize its image. Collaborations with streetwear labels, designers, and celebrities have helped Lacoste connect with a younger audience. The company has also placed a greater emphasis on its underwear and loungewear categories, recognizing that consumers are spending more time thinking about comfort and at-home style. The new “Crocodile Style” collection is part of that strategy, and Taylor Zakhar Perez is the perfect ambassador to deliver the message.

Underwear campaigns are a unique challenge for fashion brands. They need to be sensual without being crude, stylish without being inaccessible, and aspirational without feeling unrealistic. Lacoste's solution is to lean into a natural, almost documentary style. By placing Perez in a mundane setting like a changing room, the brand makes its products feel more relatable. The message is that confidence comes from within, and the right underwear can be the foundation of that confidence.

The campaign also fits with a broader evolution in menswear advertising. In previous decades, men's underwear ads often featured hyper-masculine poses, dramatic lighting, and a sense of aggression. The current generation of campaigns tends to be more subtle, focusing on personality, intimacy, and emotional resonance. Perez is an ideal fit for that approach. His on-screen persona is warm and approachable, and he brings the same qualities to his modeling work.

The changing room as a creative stage

The decision to set the shoot in a Parisian gym's changing room is one of the campaign's most distinctive elements. A changing room is a private, in-between space, one that usually exists outside the public eye. By bringing the camera into that environment, Lacoste creates a sense of voyeurism that suits the product. The viewer is invited to imagine catching a glimpse of someone when they are not fully presentable, which makes the images feel more spontaneous and alive.

The creative team also makes clever use of lighting and framing. Angelo Pennetta's photography captures both the details of the garments and the atmosphere of the room. There are shots that focus on the texture of the fabric, as well as wider images that show Perez moving through the space. Simon Cain's film adds another layer, with motion and sound helping to create a narrative. The promo video is introduced with the phrase, “Introducing the new Crocodile Style. A new Lacoste underwear collection — where confidence, elegance, and freedom come to life through Taylor Zakhar Perez.” That succinctly captures the campaign's intent.

Styling by Jason Bolden also plays a crucial role. The looks are minimal but considered. Perez is often seen wearing nothing more than underwear and an open shirt or jacket, allowing the product to remain the focus. At the same time, the styling ensures that the actor looks like himself, not like a detached model. This balance is difficult to achieve, and it is one of the reasons the campaign has received a positive response.

Early reactions to the campaign have been enthusiastic. Fans have flooded social media with clips and images from the shoot, while fashion magazines and entertainment outlets have pointed to it as an example of how to make an underwear campaign feel current. The campaign also reinforces Perez's position as a rising style icon. He has attended fashion weeks, sat front row at major shows, and now delivered a campaign that is both commercially effective and visually striking.

A partnership that keeps growing

Perez's relationship with Lacoste is not a one-off endorsement. Since becoming an ambassador, he has been involved in multiple initiatives that go beyond traditional advertising. The brand has used him in social media content, event appearances, and collaborative projects. In his comments, Perez has made it clear that he sees this as a creative partnership rather than a simple business transaction.

That sense of mutual investment is important. Consumers are increasingly skeptical of celebrity endorsements that feel hollow or formulaic. When a campaign appears to come from a genuine place of collaboration, it tends to resonate more strongly. Perez's history with Lacoste suggests that he has real affection for the brand, and that authenticity shines through in the work.

Looking ahead, it is likely that Lacoste will continue to feature Perez as a central figure in its marketing. The actor's growing popularity, combined with his natural affinity for fashion, makes him a valuable asset. For Perez, the campaign offers another way to connect with his audience and build a lasting career beyond acting. Fashion partnerships can provide financial stability, cultural credibility, and creative fulfillment, all of which are attractive to actors in the current entertainment landscape.

The new Lacoste underwear campaign is now available to view, and it includes a wide range of images and a full promotional video. For those who have followed Perez since his breakout roles, the campaign will be a familiar sight: a charismatic actor at ease with the camera, bringing a sense of charm to everything he does. For Lacoste, it is a reminder that when the right ambassador is paired with the right product, the result can feel effortless. The changing room may be a small, unglamorous space, but in this campaign, it becomes a setting for something memorable.

Source: Yahoo Entertainment News