"They're already laughing out loud. The winners of Le Club Lacoste members-only competition are living the dream, ready to make the most of the exceptional 2-day trip to Paris they won. Having arrived the previous day, they all met for dinner and bonded around the creation of a mural, which was also an opportunity for them to share their first impressions. They recalled their reactions when they received a phone call from the Lacoste team, announcing that they had been chosen by the competition jury.

"I said, 'Is this a joke?" recalls Thomas, 58, who had just arrived from Germany. "I added: If it's true, then send me an email!" he continues, bursting into laughter. Mark, 23, from Rome, adds: "When the Lacoste person called me, I started laughing. I wasn't expecting it at all! I was so happy that I phoned my parents to let them know."

The lucky few from all over Europe, strangers to each other just the day before, got to know each other as they prepared for the first shoot of their lives. Complete with hair, make-up and personalised styling, they prepared to jump into the crocodile's shoes wearing exclusive pieces in a prestigious location: the Hotel Molitor in Paris. Events teams, creative teams, marketing teams, image teams... everyone crowded into the Lacoste dressing room, ready to capture the winners like never before. "It's a big first!" says Astrid, the French winner. Her companions adding that they are delighted to be the stars-for-a-day on a professional photo shoot.

The poses follow one another, among the parasols of the hotel pool, among the swimmers and the other guests enjoying the deckchairs in their white bathrobes. In groups, Roberta, Thomas, Jellinek, Mark, Angelica, Astrid, Pavel, Laura, Jonathan, Jeff and Ricardo pose in front of the beach cabins, by the water, in the street... group and individual photos that start to outline the first signs of complicity. "I'm really enjoying the shoot," confides Jeff, who has the Lacoste crocodile tattooed on his calf. "It's so interesting, I love it!"

Off to Roland-Garros stadium, where the dream continues. On the way, the companions never tire of getting to know each other, filming each other as they go... "We want to get to know each other. I feel like we've formed a little family," says Astrid. Bright tennis skirts and the latest crocodile sneakers rush into the Roland-Garros hall. As the guide begins the private tour, an awe-inspiring silence overcomes the new friends. The Village, press room, changing rooms... the eleven privileged guests visit the temple of tennis in awe, impressed to be walking in the footsteps of the world's greatest players.

Jonathan, 11, and his parents, Pavel and Laura, pose in front of the sponsor wall, while the whole group cheers on the young tennis fanatic. "Jonathan, you'll be here in a few years' time!" Pavel improvises an interview with his son, while everyone else films, delighted: "So Jonathan, where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?" And the young man replies, spontaneously, "Number 1 in the world!" to the applause of the other winners. Court Philippe Chatrier, court Suzanne Lenglen... Angelica can't believe it: "It's a dream for me," says the Madrid native, overcome with emotion. "1, 2, 3... Lacoste!" The group selfie is in the bag, it's off to the clay court.

It's the middle of the day and the shyness of the morning has given way to a frank camaraderie. No need to encourage them, the winners of Le Club Lacoste competition, perfectly at ease in the stands of the Suzanne Lenglen court call out to each other, hugging and smiling casually as the photographers snap away. "Can you call me back next year?" beams Thomas. Astrid confirms: "We're so proud to be Lacoste models!"

Before a cruise on the Seine and a prestigious dinner, the eleven new friends, busy exchanging photos and videos in the private group they've just set up, let themselves in on a few confidences. "I think the organization is amazing, the hotel and the location are incredible, and I feel very much part of the group, even though I'm the oldest," says Thomas, laughing. "But that's Lacoste: it's for everyone, whatever their age." Astrid adds: "I think we share common values that are reflected in the brand, we're open-minded, radiant people, we love life and, beyond the clothes, Lacoste embodies that too!" Mark: "For me, the most important thing is the memory I share with these clothes. They will be forever remind me of the shoot". "Can we keep them?" they all ask at the same time, bursting into laughter. They don't know it yet, but yes. And the experience is far from over...

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