All-American traditional style with a contemporary touch is personified by Ralph Lauren.
Over the course of his more than 50-year career at the vanguard of American sportswear, the man behind the iconic fashion company has lived and breathed this idea every day. It’s also an approach that Lauren, 82, masterfully demonstrated yesterday night at the Museum of Modern Art, when he unveiled his fall 2022 collection.
The celebration took place in a tiny duplicate of Lauren’s living room from her New York City residence, despite the big (and, quite literally, contemporary) setting. In the centre of the room, a giant bowl of M&M’s (classic milk chocolate, what else would you expect?) is surrounded by long white sofas and coffee tables that have been artfully decorated with oversized candles, motorcycle-themed books, sleek miniature cars, and — as the centrepiece — a giant bowl of M&M’s (classic milk chocolate, what else would you expect?
Famous friends of the brand Jessica Chastain and Janáe shone in one area of the room, while New York powerhouses like Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and New York Mayor Eric Adams held court in another. Those in-between included Zoey Deutch (in a bright pink suit), Lily Collins (in traditional black and white suiting), TikTok actor Nick Kaufmann (in an olive suit), and influencer Ivy Getty (in a double-breasted olive suit) (channelling groovy vibes in a Western shirt).
Mostly in black and white with bursts of red, iconic Ralph Lauren styles took centre stage on the catwalk this season. In a branded sweater with a popped collar beneath and a pair of two-tone spectator shoes as the show’s opening look, Gigi Hadid set the tone for preppy chic. Lucky Blue Smith followed suit in an immaculately fitted suit, and the rest is history (followed by more impeccably tailored suits).
Additionally, there was a hint to après-ski elegance, with puffer jackets and bow ties being worn together, and Fair Isle knits being dressed up with sequined dresses and ball skirts. Lauren’s hometown was honoured with an Art Deco dress that glistened with the lights of the New York City skyline. Aside from an off-shoulder, full-skirted midi dress worn by Laetitia Casta, the rest of the eveningwear stayed mostly sleek (see Shalom Harlow’s transparent column dress; Tyson Beckford’s black-tie moment; or Bella Hadid’s asymmetrical white gown).
During the finale, model Vittoria Ceretti dazzled in a pantsuit and bow tie, which she accessorised with a bomber jacket and baseball cap, all of which were embellished with the New York Yankees emblem. The return to the runway last night was a sartorial home run, to say the least.
