Even though it's barely fall, Ralph Lauren is ready for a spring holiday to an exotic overseas destination. How about the south of France?
No one does relaxed elegance better than Lauren, and the designer was at the top of his game on the last day of New York Fashion Week, with a warm-weather collection that had front-row celebrities like Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain, and Alec Baldwin ready to renew their passports and book a flight.
Working with a color palette primarily of red, white and blue, Lauren presented a number of casual combinations, from an all-white shirt and pants ensemble with red woven raffia cork platforms to jumpsuits of varying lengths in shiny navy lame, vintage ivory cotton, and white silk with a winding red stripe.
Pants either hug the ankle or billow out pallazo-style in contrasting shades or with the outline of a sailboat. Crisp jackets in linen canvas or luxurious wool crepe vary from short and cropped to nearly mid-thigh. Even gowns made from striped shirting fabric or body-hugging viscose in bold red or cobalt blue with cutouts at the midsection continue the stylish laid-back attitude.
"It really brought us the spirit of French chic style and elegance," Harper's Bazaar executive fashion and beauty editor Avril Graham said. "I had a feeling I was being transported to the Riviera, with a smattering of Deauville in a tad vintage way too.
"They're the sort of clothes that women want to wear — flattering to the body, nipped into the waist, with the flirty skirts, the stripes, the clean whites, the gorgeous platform shoe moment. Ralph really understands his customer like no one else."
Midway through the runway show, Lauren introduced jackets, pants, shirts, and blouses in a lightweight tan saddle leather paired with navy accents. "It's the chicest color combination," said Graham, who will be in Dallas to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NorthPark Center on October 8.
"For me Texas is the epitome of the spirit of America. As a foreigner, it always feels good to be back," she said in her crisp British accent.
Fans won't have to wait long to buy certain items. A curated collection of runway looks is available now on the Ralph Lauren website.
Backstage at the Ralph Lauren show, models are in an array of styles.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri