Following Proenza Schouler’s quiet presentation earlier in the week, Ralph Lauren has officially kicked off New York Fashion Week. The American designer chose to show his Spring/Summer 2025 collection at the Hamptons, the seaside enclave not too far away from New York City. The coastal setting, and the fact that the fashion show marks Lauren’s return to the NYFW schedule after skipping the previous season, meant that the show drew quite the crowd. But once you look past the many famous faces on the front row, your focus would—and should—turn to the clothes. At age 84, Lauren continues to do what he does best: defining the all-American wardrobe for today. Below, GRAZIA Singapore gives you the gist of the new collection.
The Setting
Ralph Lauren’s Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show took place in the Hamptons—a source of inspiration for the designer over the years, and the perfect backdrop for the all-American lifestyle portrayed in his fashion campaigns. Lauren first opened a store there in 1995. He now has three stores across the coastal region, as well as an oceanfront house in Montauk. In a statement, Lauren said, “The Hamptons is more than a place. It’s a natural world of endless blue skies, the ocean, green fields, and white fences, rusticity and elegance with a quality of light that drew artists here decades ago. It has been home, my refuge and always an inspiration.”
The Collection
For Spring/Summer 2025, Ralph Lauren stuck to his winning formula. On the runway, he presented preppy tailoring, Western-inspired ensembles, glamorous evening gowns, and, of course, polo shirts. This season, however, Lauren’s fashion fantasy whisked us away to the seaside: models clad in crochet sets, sheer floral frocks, shell necklaces and sailor stripes (which were also seen at Proenza Schouler) could have easily made their way down to the beautiful beaches that the Hamptons is famous for. Likewise, the colour palette of the collection reflected the easy, breezy setting: linen blazers and crochet cardigans came in sandy beiges and browns, while a couple of stunning dresses glimmered in the same mesmerising blues of waves under a summer sun.
Throughout the collection, you’ll also notice touches of ‘20s glamour. Lauren was inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. He previously designed the suits for the 1972 film adaptation of the American classic. For Spring/Summer 2025, he offered up a wardrobe for the modern-day Daisy Buchanon, complete with glitzy headpieces and dangling crystal and pearl earrings. A glorious, golden beaded fringe skirt was styled, nonchalantly, with a white tank top and a buckle belt. Pearls also featured heavily in the collection. A simple tank dress was transformed into an evening ensemble thanks to the embellishment of 200,000 pearls by hand.
The Craft
Lauren, a master of mixing things up, peppered his collection with unexpected materials. After jazzing up jeans with devoré denim, embroidery and artistic florals for Spring/Summer 2024, the designer now dialled up the glamour on the American wardrobe staple: see the wide-leg distressed jeans that’s covered all over with sequins. Naomi Campbell modelled another showstopping piece: a crochet maxi skirt adorned with strings of pearls. Its lavishness was balanced by a simple white T-shirt with a knot. Fellow ‘90s supermodel, Christy Turlington, came down the runway in an openwork white jacket embroidered with 580,000 glass beads.
The Trends
While Ralph Lauren’s collections exist within the context of the American designer’s universe—which was humbly built with ties in 1967 and has now expanded to include a chain of cafés—his designs also align neatly with the trends that capture young fashion fans today. Lauren’s fashion empire practically laid down the codes of the Old Money aesthetic; accordingly, the wealthy WASP look can be achieved with the striped blazers, buttoned vests, and white polo dresses from Lauren’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. (Oh, and don’t forget the navy American flag sweater, a design from 1985 that Lauren has reintroduced this season.) Lauren also feeds into the boho chic revival—which was sparked by Chemena Kamali’s Chloé debut last season—with sheer embroidered blouses, flowing lace skirts, suede jackets lined with fringe, and shoes that combine brogues and wedges. Imaan Hammam, who modelled a white lace caftan, proved that the boho chic look didn’t have to be exclusive to white women with beach waves.
The Celebrities
Ralph Lauren opened New York Fashion Week with an impressive guest list that comprised Hollywood stars, Korean celebrities, and even US First Lady, Jill Biden. Tiktok star Nara Smith showed her support for her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, who walked down the runway. Cole Sprouse and singer Kacey Musgraves clearly enjoyed the collection, going from their Instagram stories. Tom Hiddleston was spotted sharing a laugh with Anna Wintour. Laura Dern and Colman Domingo looked dignified in their Ralph Lauren suits. And Jude Law posed for a photo with South Korean actor Ryu Jun-yeol and GRAZIA Singapore cover star Krystal Jung. Another K-pop star in their midst was Winter. The Aespa singer, who wore her hair up, was the picture of elegance in a pleated satin evening dress with crystal-embellished chain straps.
The Looks
Below, see the top looks from Ralph Lauren’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection.
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