Iconic American designer Ralph Lauren is set to make a highly anticipated comeback to New York Fashion Week with a runway show in September. This is a significant moment for the brand, as it has been four years since Ralph Lauren last showcased during the city’s official catwalk season.
The runway event is scheduled for Friday, September 8, at a location that has yet to be disclosed. Ralph Lauren’s decision to return to New York Fashion Week is seen as a major boost for the event, as other prominent designers such as Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Tom Ford have recently showcased their collections outside of New York or in foreign locations. Even Thom Browne, the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, displayed his collection during the haute couture season in Paris just last week.
A spokesperson for Ralph Lauren confirmed the news, highlighting the brand’s flourishing renaissance. The company reported unexpectedly strong fourth quarter earnings in May, leading to an 8% surge in shares. Ralph Lauren predicts a low-single digit revenue increase for fiscal year 2024, with analysts anticipating a rise of 5.6% to $6.73 billion.
Ralph Lauren’s previous show on the official New York schedule took place on September 7, 2019. The event transformed 48 Wall Street into “Ralph’s Club,” a Jazz Era-inspired supper club. Ralph Lauren himself greeted guests while models showcased his designs amidst the bar. It was a night to remember, with guests donning tuxedos and Janelle Monáe serenading the crowd with classic torch songs from atop tables.
Since then, Ralph Lauren has continued to captivate audiences with his creative showcases. In October 2022, he hosted a gala show in a botanical garden in Los Angeles, which was attended by A-list celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Diane Keaton, and Laura Dern. Additionally, in March 2022, Lauren paid homage to the Jazz Age with an off-calendar show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Most recently, the brand made a comeback to the Milan menswear season in June after a four-year break, presenting a Purple Label collection titled “Dolce Vita” inside the Ralph Lauren Palace.
With Ralph Lauren’s return to the New York runway scene, fashion enthusiasts and industry insiders are eagerly anticipating his upcoming show in September. It is sure to be a highlight of New York Fashion Week, showcasing the brand’s enduring legacy and innovative designs.
