The Ralph Lauren: Catwalk book, released earlier this month, paints a lively picture of the designer’s many, many runways. More than 50 years after Lauren’s first show, his brand is stronger than ever; the in-today, gone-tomorrow creative directors of the 2020s can only wish for that kind of longevity. This resort collection finds Lauren retracing house standards—the double-breasted suit, slip dresses, luxe outerwear—as well as some of his own personal signatures in a reduced palette of neutrals and metallics. The mood is one of effortless simplicity: how to look good without looking like you’re trying.
Knitwear did some of the heavy lifting in that regard. A pantsuit and a sleeveless halterneck dress were both made from a sweater yarn, lending both looks the promise of comfort and ease. A camel coat was cut, rather unusually, on the bias, giving it a fresh lightness. Of course, undone elegance often requires a great deal of behind-the-scenes work. A sarong skirt worn with a delicate camisole has no side seams and requires some intricate internal engineering to stay in place, and a dress with micro cut beads was 800 hours in the making. Many of the looks were accessorized with a new handbag dubbed the RL Madison with hardware modeled after one of Lauren’s favorite belts.
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