The runway of the Ralph Lauren Spring Summer 2010 Collection in New York Fashion Week focused on fashion staples that have always stood the test of time. The designer turned the current crisis into positive through taking inspiration from the Great Recession that showed the spirit of American resiliency and hard work. As Ralph Lauren puts it, “I am inspired by the character of the worker, the farmer, the cowboy, and the pioneer women of the prairies.” So in place of the polo fields or any of his other pony stomping grounds, Lauren took us back to the dust bowl for Spring.
Dominated by classics from jeans and linen to clean lines with splash of floral patterns, and finally subtle yet glamorous ensembles, the Ralph Lauren collection encapsulated what American work wear and fashion truly is. Models in newsboy caps wore faded and torn oversize jeans with blue work shirts; patchwork overalls; nightshirts in mattress-ticking stripes; or sweet calico print dresses with white ankle socks and oxfords with heels.
With four key looks that will captivate every lady’s wardrobe, the designer once again proved why he is the icon for American dressing. The collection began with Authentic Elegance wherein faded denim work wear and soft floral dresses conveyed a romantic ideal. Moving forward with the New Sophisticate, this line is more compelling with a sense of strength and sophistication in menswear inspired suiting and striking navy evening wear. Confidence and elegant purity were the main ideas for the Timeless Grace line with delicate feminine looks rendered in organdy and white linen. Finally, Contemporary Glamour ushered faded blue silks and resplendent icy metallics that reveal the heritage of denim while evoking a new style of luxurious yet simple evening glamour.
Like most of Lauren’s collections, it was cinematic. From one creation to the other, the show played like a rags-to-riches tale, a story line dear to the designer’s heart. Starting with white cotton organdy dresses and some thirties-esque suits, to the work jackets and carpenter pants in blue ombré silk charmeuse, while the nightshirts came striped with beads and the overalls were transformed into a floor-grazing lamé dress. A pair of evening jeans, completely covered in silvery beads save for the fraying holes, took the concept to the limit.
In the Philippines, Polo Ralph Lauren Blue Label is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, 158 Designer’s Blvd., Alabang Town Center, and soon to open on March in Rustan’s Makati.
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