Ghost Mail Weekender

Happy Sunday Voornaam,

Everyone has been talking about the Jaguar rebrand this week, with many (including our resident ghost) claiming that this is the clearest example in history of a car brand alienating its consumer base. Of course, Dominique has a story up her sleeve to prove that a car brand missing the point with customers is nothing new.
Picture this: London in the 1920s. A casually dressed Indian man strolls into a swanky Rolls-Royce showroom, clearly interested in the gleaming Phantom II Tourer. But the salesman, taking one look at what he perceives as a “shabby” visitor, decides he’s not worth the effort and brushes him off with a condescending “Don’t waste my time.” Oops. Big mistake.
This wasn’t just any random guy off the street doing some window shopping. This was the Maharaja of Alwar, King Jai Singh, and let’s just say he wasn’t in the mood to let this insult slide. Keeping his cool, the king asked to see the manager, revealed his royal identity, and ordered not one, but all seven cars in the showroom. And to really drive the point home, he demanded the snooty salesman personally deliver them to his palace in India.
Fast forward to delivery day in Rajasthan, where the seven Rolls-Royces arrived in all their shiny, luxe glory. The cars were lined up neatly in front of the palace, ready for royal approval. The Maharaja emerged, took one look at them, and casually instructed his staff to put them to work hauling garbage for the city. Yes, you read that right. The Rolls-Royces, ultimate symbols of British prestige, became Alwar’s fanciest trash trucks.
Word of the Maharaja’s epic clapback spread like wildfire, even without social media. Rolls-Royce’s reputation took a serious hit, and the company, known for its high-and-mighty image, got a nasty reality check. The Maharaja’s message? Respect isn’t optional, and if you’re going to snub a king, you’d better be prepared to watch your luxury cars cart away banana peels and yesterday’s leftovers. Talk about taking out the trash - in every sense of the phrase.
From phantoms to ghosts - and the fascination that the world has with communication beyond the grave. With AI threatening to bring us the technology to invite late family members to the next braai, Dominique dug into the Victoria era and a period of much focus on death, seances and theatrical performances that even included the creator of Sherlock Holmes! Will AI finally gives us the experiences that the Victorians craved? Find out in this great piece>>>
Read on for the history of the Lacoste brand and the link between the iconic crocodile logo and tennis, as well as fast facts along the theme of useful life hacks.
Have a lovely day and enjoy what we've brought you!

The Finance Ghost (follow on X) | Dominique Olivier (connect on LinkedIn)

Who doesn't love a seance?

The crocodile's tale

TL;DR: If you’ve ever wondered about the connection between a tennis brand and a crocodile, then pay close attention.
The place was Boston, the year 1923. A 19-year-old tennis phenom named René Lacoste was eyeing his next big challenge - and ogling a sleek crocodile leather suitcase in a shop window. His team captain saw the opportunity to inspire the young protege: win the match, and it’s yours. René doesn’t win in the end, but his gritty determination on the court leaves a distinct impression among spectators. An American journalist nicknames him “The Crocodile,” and with that, a legend is born.
Four years later, Lacoste approached designer Robert George with a request to create an image that matches his nickname. Under George’s skillful pen, the iconic reptile takes shape. René, a customisation enthusiast, immediately has the crocodile embroidered on his blazers. It’s a bold move - and it pays off. Soon after, René debuts the now-famous polo shirt on court, complete with the crocodile logo over the heart. This isn’t just a shirt; in the age of formal tenniswear (think blazers, vests and chinos) it’s a revolution. Lacoste also becomes the first brand ever to display a visible logo on clothing. Tennis players frustrated by stuffy, outdated uniforms flocked to adopt René’s streamlined, stylish design.
By 1951, Lacoste went technicolour, breaking free from its all-white tennis roots and introducing coloured polos. Two years later, the brand crosses the Atlantic in style. Partnering with David Crystal, the owner of Izod, Lacoste polos became the status symbol for the “competent sportsman” (and, apparently, also for Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, and John Wayne - weekend warriors who knew how to dress the part). The Izod-Lacoste partnership lasted until 1993, though it also sparked a fair amount of branding confusion in the US. In 1977, Crystal’s head honcho admitted he nearly ditched the crocodile emblem entirely. Close call.
Innovation didn’t stop at shirts. In 1961, René unveiled another game-changer: the first tubular steel tennis racket. At a time when wooden rackets ruled the court, this new design delivered unmatched stiffness and power. Pierre Darmon debuted the racket at Wimbledon in 1963, but it became a sensation as the Wilson T-2000, wielded by legends like Billie Jean King and Jimmy Connors.
Lacoste didn’t just make gear; it made history. In 1971, the brand partnered with the Roland-Garros French Open, kicking off a relationship with professional tennis that’s still going strong today. From humble beginnings as a scrappy nickname to a global fashion powerhouse, the crocodile hasn’t just survived - it’s thrived.
Even today, you can drop a cool $155 on a tennis polo from the Lacoste x Novak Djokovic collection. This is the type of brand consistency that Jaguar decided to throw away!

Dominique's fast facts: Hack your life

An assortment of facts that will take you only a minute to read.

If you have trouble choosing between two options, flip a coin. If you find yourself disappointed at the result, you’ll know what you really wanted.

If you’re struggling to stay awake during a class or meeting, lift one foot off the ground slightly and see how long you can keep it lifted.

The best way to force yourself out of bed in the morning is to put your alarm clock on the other side of the room.

Making a soup or a stew? Double the recipe every time - you’re cooking anyway, and the leftovers can go in your freezer for another day.

Pick a day of the week as your designated plant watering day. It’s easier to remember to water your plants consistently if you water them all on the same day every week.

Reduce the risk of hammering your fingers by using a laundry peg to hold the nail in place.

Love iced coffee, but hate when your drink gets watered down from the melting ice? Make ice cubes from cooled coffee and use those instead.

Next time you dish for yourself, reach for a smaller plate than usual. When your plate is smaller, it looks fuller, which is an effective way of managing your portion size.