April 19, 2025 |
From staging shows at his residence in the Hamptons to taking over Central Park, Ralph Lauren is known for presenting his collections on his own terms. Thursday was no different, as the designer opted to show his off-schedule fall 2025 runway presentation at a gallery in downtown New York City. After weeks of gloomy, chilly weather, the skies cleared to reveal a bright and sunny spring morning, bathing the space in natural light. Titled The New Romantics, it was an ode to women who embodied a sense of self-assurance, making every look deeply personal. With a front row that included Anne Hathaway, Sadie Sink, Kacey Musgraves, Arianna Debose and more, it’s clear that these were the ladies Mr Lauren had in mind when designing. Read on for the 10 things to know about the show.
1. Location, Location, Location
Staged at Jack Shainman Gallery, which recently opened in January of this year, the expansive three-floor building with its gilded ceiling served as the perfect backdrop for the show. Models descended from a marble staircase and made their way around the room. Intimate yet far from cramped, the classic New York City space was bathed in natural light and gave the audience a chance to see the clothes in motion at a setting that felt fitting for the aesthetic.
2. Star Power
A Ralph Lauren show is always going to bring the celebrities and the front row was definitely impressive. From the likes of Oscar winners Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams and Ariana DeBose to next generation actresses Sadie Sink and White Lotus’Sarah Catherine Hook to musicians Kacey Musgraves and Ryan Destiny, the only question is: who will be the first to wear this collection?
3. Modern Romanticism Was the Theme
Forget quiet luxury, for Ralph Lauren, it was less about the minimalist woman than the woman who wasn’t afraid to make luxury her own. The show notes stated that Mr Lauren designed this collection with beautiful tensions in mind – masculine versus feminine, rugged versus refined.
4. The Opening Look Was Pure Ralph
Consisting of a high-neck ruffle shirt, trousers and a distressed aviator jacket, it exemplified the contrasts that were the theme of the show.
5. Tailoring Took Centre Stage
Perhaps the upcoming Costume Institute exhibit was top of mind, but plenty of these looks would be a perfect fit for the Met Gala red carpet. With dandy-inspired shirts and jackets, the tailored pieces reflected Mr Lauren’s deft hand at cutting a fantastic pair of trousers or a sharp shouldered blazer.
6. Textures and Tones
After a spring collection filled with bright hues, the clothes took a decidedly moody and darker turn this season with an emphasis on tactile contrasts and craftsmanship. Take for example a wide-collar jacket that goes from leather into suede courtesy of a manual process that makes each piece a one-of-a-kind design. Another noteworthy piece was the jumpsuit that’s lined in lush silk and featuring leather detailing.
7. Accessories to Know
To accompany the moody looks and dandy-style tailoring, boots lent a tough edge. First introduced in pre-fall, the Barnet is an over-the-knee style while the Quinn, new for this season, is a riff on the cowboy bootie. As for the bags, there’s the aptly named Ralph satchel as inspired by Mr Lauren’s extensive car collection.
8. An ’80s Ode
Nestled among the evening looks was an Easter egg for fans. A hand-beaded floral medallion sweater was a reference to a piece worn by model Clotilde Holby in an ’80s-era Ralph Lauren ad campaign.
9. Evening Delighted
Speaking of evening, the ending parade of gowns seemed all but destined to be making red carpet appearances in the immediate future. Two to note were the halter gowns, one in embroidered lace layered over watercolor satin while another consisted of graduated silk-knit ruffles that spiraled around the body. Also, eye-catching was a black beaded capelet number that swished with each step.
10. Mr Lauren Was the True Star
Appearing at the end to wave to his audience, the designer proved that at 85, no one understands classic American sportswear and glamour better than him.
Photography courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
