Ralph Lauren, the esteemed American fashion designer, opened New York Fashion Week with a spectacular show that underscored his status as the poet laureate of style at 86 years old. The collection was unabashedly grand, yet it reflected a keen awareness of contemporary fashion trends in the real world.
A Grand Setting for a Timeless Vision
The event took place in a grand marble palazzo located in New York's financial district, a building that originally opened in 1894 as a symbol of the city's burgeoning economic power. Lauren transformed this historic venue to resemble his own country estate upstate, creating a cosy atmosphere with overlapping antique rugs and large urns filled with winter greenery. This setting effectively banished the frigid, snow-covered streets outside, immersing attendees in a warm and inviting environment.
Celebrity Presence and Red-Carpet Glamour
The audience was filled with red-carpet celebrities, adding to the film-set vibe of the evening. Lana Del Rey proudly displayed her new Ralph Lauren cowboy boots while seated on the front row. In a notable moment reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada, Anne Hathaway, who is set to reprise her role as an assistant to a legendary magazine editor, posed with Vogue's Anna Wintour. Other attendees included Morgan Spector and Rebecca Hall, further highlighting the event's star-studded nature.
The Ralph Lauren Dream: Beyond Clothing
Great fashion designers like Ralph Lauren are world-builders who use shows, billboards, and stores to sell a dream that extends far beyond mere clothing. Entering a Ralph Lauren store evokes the feeling of stepping into a country club, even for those who have never visited one. This vision has been successfully marketed through a shrewd business model, offering items such as £175 quarter-zip cotton knits to a broad audience.
Nostalgia and Modern Revival
The brand's revival over the past decade taps into a yearning for an era when "Have A Nice Day" was a popular slogan, contrasting with more recent political themes. High-profile endorsements have bolstered this image: Taylor Swift wore a breezy striped Ralph Lauren sundress for her engagement photoshoot last year, and the US Winter Olympics team sported stars-and-stripes Ralph Lauren kit on the Italian slopes. This nostalgia has translated into commercial success, with the quarter-zip sweater named the hottest product of late 2025 by the Lyst index, based on sales, search data, and social media buzz. TikTok trends like "Ralph Lauren Christmas" further demonstrate the brand's cultural impact.
The Fashion Week Collection: Grandeur Meets Comfort
The fashion week collection represents the pinnacle of the Ralph Lauren brand, featuring designs that are unabashedly grand. Highlights included floor-length velvet gowns with delicate straps and glass-bead fringing on sinuously curving skirts. Comfort and cosiness were layered atop this grandeur, such as tweed blazers worn over beaded cocktail dresses and tailored evening suits paired with velvet slippers.
Contemporary Styling and Real-World Awareness
Lauren demonstrated a keen eye for contemporary styling, bridging the gap between high-rolling clients and everyday consumers. Elements like pebble-textured leather jackets, generous trousers with belts, and knitwear slung over shoulders reflected an acute awareness of current fashion trends as they appear in daily life.
A Stately Conclusion
The show concluded with a curtain drawing aside to reveal Ralph Lauren himself, who took a brief, stately bow. He waved fondly to the audience, embodying the patrician elegance that defines his brand. This moment reinforced his enduring legacy and influence in the fashion industry.
