Ralph Lauren glams up on the West Coast

No one embodies the American dream quite like Ralph Lauren. The designer is unquestionably the king of East Coast prep, defining and redefining the meaning of casual sportswear for over half a century. Yet it also does Old Hollywood glamor perfectly, with pieces that are classic, timeless and, of course, sexy. His love for New York and Los Angeles is evident throughout his career, but last night Lauren showed his approach to modern American luxury in California for the very first time, as he said in a press release, "sharing my worlds in an experience that celebrates a way of life I've always believed in - a blend of courage and glamour, energy and inspiration.”

Lauren has avoided the fashion week schedule for a few years now, opting to show off when and where he's ready. This time around, he's decamped to the Huntington Library, Museum of Art and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif., to show the Hollywood set how he does high fashion. He created the Polo Bar in California, bringing his signature American cuisine to guests like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck (the couple's first public appearance since their marriage), Diane Keaton and Jessica Chastain, among others, before making his debut in the world of Ralph Lauren. , spring 2023 edition.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck

Courtesy

For the uninitiated, Ralph Lauren has several labels under its umbrella that diversify the company's offering and complement its global vision. There's Ralph Lauren Collection (his regular runway pieces), Ralph Lauren Purple Label (think: timeless suits and everyday luxury), RRL (super luxe Americana-infused ready-to-wear) and Polo (the casual prep for which it became known). ). Lauren has brought these four distinct aesthetics together in one expansive and comprehensive show against the breathtaking backdrop of a cool California fall evening.

The show opened with the Western-leaning RRL offering, infusing tailored fits and flowing bias-cut dresses with classic references from Americana like boots and cowboy hats, as well as with Canadian tuxedos worthy of any western. The Purple Label streak that followed was Lauren's daytime outfit for the SoCal sequins, featuring tan suede coats, cropped linen suits and a particularly fabulous bomber jacket with bugle bead embroidery. This led to a series of looks in the collection that all focused on red, white and blue, leaning heavily on nautical references with all the ease of a sunny day on the west coast. Bodycon sequined dresses and stark white suits contrast with painterly touches on maxi skirts and jeans, completing the chic Cali range.

Philippe Fior