On Tuesday evening, Ralph Lauren presented his Fall 2026 collection at the Jack Shainman Gallery in downtown New York. The event drew celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Ariana DeBose, Emilia Jones and Lana Del Rey, as well as members of the fashion crowd. The designer transformed the space to resemble his Bedford estate, complete with hand-painted scenic murals, rich velvet curtains, vintage area rugs, and worn leather furnishings. This same venue hosted his previous season’s show, proving that it works well for his particular brand of American luxury.
| 📌 Key Facts |
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| 👔 Brand: Ralph Lauren 🗓 Season: Fall 2026 📍 Location: Jack Shainman Gallery, New York 🏛 Set Design: Inspired by Ralph Lauren’s Bedford estate 🧵 Craftsmanship: 50+ custom fabrications 🖤 Key Materials: Leather corsetry, chainmail, velvet, tweed, tapestry brocade 👢 Signature Accessories: Riding boots, oversized shawls, O-ring belts 🌟 Opening Model: Gigi Hadid 🎯 Core Theme: Rugged elegance meets romantic power dressing 🌍 Next Stop: Women’s Polo collection to be presented in Paris |
The collection centered on a woman who values timeless quality and reinvents traditional pieces for contemporary life. Her style transcends temporal boundaries, enduring rather than being fleeting. Lauren described his love for the “adventure of fashion,” which informed this season’s confident approach. The looks suggested someone equally comfortable on a country estate or on Park Avenue – what some observers dubbed “Joan of Park Avenue” rather than Joan of Arc.
More than 50 custom fabrications appeared throughout the runway presentation. Edwardian cotton taffeta smocked blouses were paired with tweed tailoring and edgy chainmail tops. Silk scarves with outdoorsy scenes were featured, and chunky knits and velvet layers transitioned from day to evening. The collection was at its most persuasive when Lauren showcased his artisanal craftsmanship in the evening wear. A strapless, bias-cut, black velvet gown featured strips of leather and hardware. Another silver sequin gown was flocked with black velvet to create a crinkled effect. A navy velvet column gown with slight bell sleeves and strong shoulders nodded to Edwardian fashion.
The collection had a harder edge than Lauren’s spring lineup. Strong shoulders appeared throughout the tailored pieces alongside leather corsetry and chunky aviator pants. Riding boots grounded the looks. Tapestry brocade layers added texture without softness. Lauren’s signature cable-knit sweaters featured chain embellishments, introducing his broader vision to a wider audience.
Gigi Hadid opened the show in a bouclé tweed corset and tailored skirt and closed in a brown velvet halter gown cinched at the waist with a chunky leather O-ring belt and fluttering chainmail sleeves. These looks encapsulated the fundamental tension of the collection between rugged and romantic, and between adventurous and classic. The vintage pull remained strong throughout.
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Belts cinched tailored suits and chainmail evening dresses alike. Shawls, some as large as throw blankets, were pinned to shoulders with vintage brooches. The styling drove home the message of a woman who wears clothes her own way. Lauren displayed a particular talent for combining casual and formal pieces, such as pairing slouchy sweaters with floor-sweeping skirts and leather bustiers with wool trousers topped by chunky toggle cardigans. She also added verve to strapless bead-embroidered dresses with tweed blazers.
This show came weeks after Ralph Lauren’s Milan menswear presentation, which was the most-viewed men’s show of the season in Milan and Paris. The brand plans to return to Europe soon to present its women’s Polo collection in Paris. At 57 years old and established in 1967, Ralph Lauren remains one of the most senior designers at New York Fashion Week. While the collection followed a familiar formula, it felt relevant. The touchable, tactile materials and practical styling kept everything firmly rooted in wearability rather than fantasy.
