Ralph Lauren is an idealist at heart. Whether a collection is filled with preppy button-downs, black tie gowns, or bohemian lace detail, his woman possesses a timeless self-assuredness that’s difficult not to canonize. It makes sense, then, that A-listers showed up in droves to the brand’s intimate fall 2025 runway show, held at the Jack Shainman Gallery in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood, from The White Lotus’s Sarah Catherine Hook, to Anne Hathaway, Ryan Destiny, Sadie Sink, Kacey Musgraves, Ariana DeBose, and more.
Unlike the spring/summer 2025 collection, which was shown at dusk in the Hamptons, the gallery’s white marble columns and pale wooden floors were flooded with the midday sunlight, providing an intentional contrast to the moodier quality of the clothes. Models cascaded down the staircase sporting a rich royal purple that permeated many of the looks, such as a velvet blazer and a long-sleeve dress.
A Ralph Lauren show wouldn’t be complete without a showcase of impeccably tailored formalwear. A shimmering velvet slip dress followed by an elongated, embroidered evening jacket carried the collection’s signature edge with sophisticated flair. Rather than leaning into recent waves of nostalgia, the brand looked further back—drawing from the lace-ruffled shirts of the 17th and 18th centuries. Styled with slim trousers and leather over-the-knee boots, the look evoked the drama of a midnight rendezvous, as if lifted from the frame of a period film.
The runway also reimagined the dandy, using the collection’s rich textures—lace, embroidery, and intricate detailing—to subvert the traditional suit. The timing couldn’t be more relevant: this enduring trope takes center stage just as the Costume Institute’s upcoming exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, prepares to open in tandem with the Met Gala in early May.
After nearly 60 years in fashion, Ralph Lauren shows no signs of cynicism. Instead, his runway remains as full of softened silhouettes and fresh faces as ever—a testament to a vision that continues to embrace optimism and elegance.
Alexandra Hildreth is the Fashion News Editor at ELLE. She is fascinated by style trends, industry news, shake-ups, and The Real Housewives. Previously, she attended the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Following graduation, she moved back to New York City and worked as a freelance journalist and producer.
