For Spring/summer 2023, Ralph Lauren reminds the fashion world that style is timeless, but fashion is not.
You never quite know what’s going to happen in fashion. One minute, one brand’s on top, only to be replaced by another in a New York minute. It’s a fast-moving industry, one that demands originality, but it also requires its creators to cater to the ever-changing demands of consumer who doesn’t really know what they want.
It’s why the absurd – for example, Balenciaga’s $1,790 “trash bag” – gets spun as cool, and it’s also why legendary brands seem intent on swapping brand heritage in exchange for a viral moment. In the crazy world of fashion merry-go-rounds, one brand remains as constant as can be, intent on sticking with idea that trends are cool – but style is always cooler. I’m talking, of course, of Ralph Lauren, a man whose influence on fashion is hardly quantifiable. Amidst the recent controversies and unconventional showings at recent fashion events, the man – and the brand – delivered a solid show – illustrating why the brand still remains popular today, 55 years after its inception.
Few do classy, old-money elegance like Ralph. For spring/summer 2023, there was black-tie sophistication, casual chic, and sporting class. Bright reds strolled past applauding celebrities, double-breasted blazers were a staple, and well-dressed kids stole the show. It’s all very Ralph, you know?
It was the brand’s first runway in America’s West Coast – San Marino, to be exact. And as we’ve come to expect of the legendary designer, a cinematic setting, designed and chosen by the man himself, made for a show that could well be a Hollywood picture. The show, aptly titled “California Dreaming”, brought together creations from all the of the brand’s worlds – from the iconic Polo Ralph Lauren to Ralph Lauren Purple Label.
In a statement, Ralph Lauren, who recently turned 84 said: “I have always been inspired by the natural beauty, the heritage, and glamour of the West Coast of America. California has always been a land of dreams and contradictions — rugged coasts and red carpets. For the first time ever, I bring my dream of living here, sharing my worlds in an experience that celebrates a way of life I have always believed in—a mix of grit and glamour, energy and inspiration.”
On the men’s side, it was a typically elegant and simple affair. For spring/summer 2023, Ralph Lauren thinks you should be wearing white/beige coloured trousers – and who the hell are you to argue? Like his picture-perfect, straight-from-the-magazine models, you should be wearing pinstripe blazers and co-ord looks, too, paired, of course with shirts – ”such beautiful shirts.”
For women, it was a glamorous affair. A bright red sequined dress caught the attention of Jennifer Lopez, western-inspired outfits made a big splash, and Polo Sport showed off some pretty impressive sporting looks.
Below, you’ll find the best looks from Ralph Lauren’s Spring/Summer 2023 show:
The Wild Wild West
Tres Elegantè
Ralph’s take on sporting & casual class
