Venus Williams, Jenna Lyons, Lori Harvey, and More Celebrate Lacoste at an Intimate Miami Dinner

What makes a dinner party great? Ask Louise Trotter, Lacoste’s new creative director, and she’ll tell you, “It’s really all about the people you invite.” So to celebrate her new journey with the heritage brand, it only made sense that Trotter and Lacoste welcomed a friendly (and stylish) crowd to the oceanside restaurant The Surf Club during the Miami Open.

Underneath a historic Banyan tree, fashion industry veteran Jenna Lyons was there in her iconic oversized readers and a crisp button-down shirt. And across from her at the dinner table, which was adorned with bronzed crocodiles, Lacoste’s newly appointed global ambassador Venus Williams chatted the night away with Lori Harvey.

Before enjoying a three-course meal, Williams worked the room and took the time to greet nearly every guest. “I’ve come to realize that life is about experiences,” Williams gushed into a microphone during her welcoming speech. Her partnership with Lacoste is an emotional, full-circle experience for the tennis icon.

“It’s a brand that I’ve always admired and respected,” Williams tells Vogue during an interview before dinner. “I remember watching the French open as a child, and they would show René Lacoste, and he was there with the classic polo.” Williams channeled the French athlete and wore an updated version of the white polo layered with a mesh tank top, which is one of Trotter’s new creations.

“As a creative lead, I like to be respectful to the brand’s heritage,” Trotter tells Vogue. “Lacoste started on the court and is now moving to the street. It’s taking sport performance and bringing it into everyday life in a fashion-forward way.”

It’s clear to see that Trotter and Williams make a great duo—not only through their partnership with Lacoste, but also their hosting skills. While Trotter believes a great dinner party is all about inviting the right people. Williams told Vogue the food is most imperative. More specifically, “you have to have great dessert,” Williams chuckled. So, of course, the joyous night ended with servings of The Surf Club’s iconic key lime pie.

Venture inside Lacoste’s celebratory dinner ahead.