This article appears in the May/June edition of US Lacrosse Magazine. Don’t get the mag? Join US Lacrosse today to start your subscription.
Open your closet. Chances are, there are a few logos in there. A Nike swoosh? Some Adidas stripes? Maybe an old-school Lacoste alligator?
More than any other part of the fashion industry, sports apparel is extremely tribal, and that’s something that starts with the logo.
Lacrosse is no exception, and a popular new logo on and off the sidelines is from Crosslace, a brand with a sporty and stylish line of handbags, accessories, apparel, and more. Drawing from the heritage and history of the game, the line’s distinctive cross-lace logo and patterns depict the traditional Native American stringing and is an inspiration for the brand’s overall aesthetic.
Created by Lee Heimert, a laxer and artisan designer, the designs are a subtle and classic nod to the game that’s played such a big part in his life.
“We built the Crosslace brand to celebrate the game,” says Heimert, founder of Crosslace USA. “We’re lovers of lacrosse, first and foremost, and for us, a Crosslace product is more than an accessory. These players have a fierce pride in their sport, and Crosslace is a way of instilling your identity and demonstrating your love for the game without saying a word.”
A Maryland native, Heimert grew up playing midfield and attack, learning to string his own stick at a young age. In fact, the classic hickory stick that once belonged to his dad, remains a treasured memento and source of inspiration for Heimert, who played at Loyola Blakefield (Md.) and Washington and Lee. He then went on to study industrial design, developing an appreciation for the artisan side of product development as a key designer for an internationally renowned American leather goods company.
Heimert’s love for lacrosse never waned, and casual sketches of the Crosslace motif soon became the basis of prototypes for a handbag line that launched to rave reviews in 2015.
“The traditional stringing has a mystical connection to the game, and when done right, the arrangement and spacing of the cross-lace is truly a thing of beauty”, Heimert said.
Since 2015, the Crosslace designs have been created by Heimert in his Connecticut-based studio using the finest materials, including durable Italian fabrics, and the highest quality European leathers. In addition to the brand’s popular handbags, Crosslace offers a line of accessories and branded apparel for men and women.
This spring, Crosslace introduced a bracelet and is developing more lacrosse-inspired products to help fans celebrate their game every day.