Ralph Lauren at home
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, October 2019Ask almost any designer who they idolize, and the answer is likely to be Ralph Lauren. A guy who got his start with neckties, he expanded into clothing, fitnesswear, and interiors and came to epitomize the idea of lifestyle in fashion.
Lauren—who once told Vogue, “I’ve always believed optimism was the core value of the American spirit and [that it] provides a kind of energy to propel our lives forward in so many positive ways”—has projected a blue-sky version of the American dream in his advertising campaigns. And why not? He’s living it. Nearly 60 years after launching Polo, the 86-year-old was presented last night with the CFDA Award for womenswear designer of the year. Proof that the designer has always been a winner is offered below in a selection of Lauren’s best looks in Vogue over a span of more than five decades.
Karlie Kloss, in Ralph Lauren Collection, with Caroline Trentini
Photographed by Norman Jean Roy, Vogue, November 2024
Sha’Carri Richardson in a cutout Ralph Lauren Collection dress
Photographed by Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Vogue, August 2024
Adut Akech wears a Ralph Lauren Collection sweater and shirt.
Photographed by Sean Thomas, Vogue, March 2023
Serena Williams wears a Ralph Lauren Collection dress with an asymmetric neckline.
Photographed by Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Vogue, September 2022
Maty Fall wears a Ralph Lauren Collection coat, shirt, and tie.
Photographed by Samuel Rock, Vogue, September 2022
Bella Hadid wears a square-neck Ralph Lauren Collection dress.
Photographed by Ethan James Green, Vogue, April 2022
Kayako Higuchi wears a valentine red Ralph Lauren dress.
Photographed by Alasdair McLellan, Vogue, February 2022
Vittoria Ceretti wears a Polo Ralph Lauren jacket, shirt, and jumpsuit.
Photographed by Angelo Pennetta, Vogue, December 2021
Shauna Brennan takes flight in an eyelet dress and sneakers from Polo Ralph Lauren.
Photographed by Jackie Nickerson, Vogue, March 2021
Brennan in Polo Ralph Lauren
Photographed by Jackie Nickerson, Vogue, March 2021
Brennan in Polo Ralph Lauren
Photographed by Jackie Nickerson, Vogue, March 2021
Gigi Hadid in a Ralph Lauren Collection dress. “I’ve always believed optimism was the core value of the American spirit and provides a kind of energy to propel our lives forward in so many positive ways,” the designer said.
Photographed by Sean Thomas, Vogue, January 2020
Stylist Ava Hariri-Kia checks the boxes in a Ralph Lauren Collection dress.
Photographed by Ethan James Green, Vogue, June 2019
Adut Akech in Polo Ralph Lauren’s update of Roaring Twenties style: blazer, pants, and a vest in a heady cocktail of houndstooth, herringbone, and glen-plaid tweeds.
Photographed by Theo Sion, Vogue, May 2019
Abby Champion layers a Ralph Lauren Collection coat and dress over a Ralph Lauren henley.
Photographed by Daniel Jackson, Vogue, September 2018
Leelee Sobieski wears a Ralph Lauren Collection pantsuit.
Photographed by Nigel Shafran, Vogue, May 2018
Allison Williams in a Ralph Lauren Collection Western getup (and ring)
Photographed by David Sims, Vogue, October 2016
Nicole Kidman in Ralph Lauren Collection
Photographed by Peter Lindbergh, Vogue, August 2015
Edie Campbell, in Ralph Lauren Collection, makes the Dickensian look dapper.
Photographed by Tim Walker, Vogue, December 2013
Catherine McNeil bewitches in an embroidered black Ralph Lauren Collection coat.
Photographed by Craig McDean, Vogue, July 2013
Kati Nescher wears a tailored Ralph Lauren Collection coat.
Photographed by Peter Lindbergh, Vogue, October 2012
Arizona Muse in a Ralph Lauren Black Label shirt and Ralph Lauren Blue Label riding pants
Photographed by David Sims, Vogue, November 2011
Rooney Mara in a dress with embroidered dragons by Ralph Lauren Collection
Photographed by Mart Alas and Marcus Piggott, Vogue, November 2011
Valentina Zelyaeva in a frothy Ralph Lauren Collection look
Photographed by Bjarne Jonasson, Vogue, November 2011
Isabeli Fontana in a Ralph Lauren Collection flannel shirt and fringed skirt
Photographed by Craig McDean, Vogue, June 2011
Liu Wen wears a romantic blouse and shimmering sequin-fringed skirt from Ralph Lauren Collection.
Photographed by Craig McDean, Vogue, March 2011
Stella Tennant works on her step count in a Ralph Lauren Collection herringbone coat.
Photographed by David Sims, Vogue, November 2010
Jourdan Dunn makes strides in Ralph Lauren silk dress.
Photographed by David Sims, Vogue, January 2009
Isabeli Fonata wears tartan with a ’40s twist from Ralph Lauren.
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, October 2008
Natalia Vodianova in Ralph Lauren’s update of Edwardian finery
Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, January 2008
Angelina Jolie in a silver lamé gown by Ralph Lauren Collection
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, January 2007
Chris Clarke with Caroline Trentini, in Ralph Lauren, as Peter Beard and Cheryl Tiegs
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, December 2006
Angela Lindvall in a Midas-touched dress by Ralph Lauren Collection
Photographed by Steven Klein, Vogue, August 2006
Cate Blanchett in a Ralph Lauren Collection gown with Art Deco–style seaming
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, December 2004
A party-ready slip dress from Ralph Lauren Collection
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, November 2003
Sandra Bullock in a beaded floral corset and denim bustle skirt by Ralph Lauren Collection
Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, January 2003
Carmen Kass wears an archival look from Ralph Lauren’s 1989 collection.
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, November 2002
Kirsty Hume, in a Ralph Lauren suit, with Donovan Leitch in London
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, September 1995
Nadja Auermann in “Ralph Lauren’s slightly revisionist take on 19th-century menswear—a high-buttoned tweed vest underneath a long, narrow suit in wine velvet.”
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, September 1993
Christy Turlington in a military-inspired, and office-friendly, look by Ralph Lauren
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, August 1993
Shalom Harlow in a dreamy Ralph Lauren ensemble of wide-leg pants, vest, and poetic blouse
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, February 1993
Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington in nautical looks by Ralph Lauren Collection
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, February 1992
Linda Evangalista clicks her heels in Ralph Lauren’s double-breasted tartan dress
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, September 1991
Karen Mulder wears a Ralph Lauren “swimwear” dress.
Photographed by Irving Penn, Vogue, April 1991
Tatjana Patitz fuels up in Ralph Lauren’s fringed suede coat.
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, October 1989
Patitz in Ralph Lauren’s blanket coat
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, October 1989
Carré Otis in a Ralph Lauren sundress
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, June 1989
Ralph Lauren at work
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, January 1989
Cordula Reyer wears a Ralph Lauren suit and transparent turtleneck.
Photographed by Irving Penn, Vogue, Setember 1988
Lisa Taylor in Ralph Lauren
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, August 1976
Charlotte Rampling looking fit in Ralph Lauren
Photographed by Helmut Newton, Vogue, July 1976
“From the fabric he uses to the total concept of a look, Ralph Lauren stands for everything you’ve ever loved about men’s classic sportswear, but without the masculine angle: Shoulders are small, armholes high, and the line—even on his wrap coats—is narrowed to the body,” Vogue wrote in 1975. “It’s all been thought out for women—with dash and style.”
Photographed by Duane Michals, Vogue, September 1975
Apollonia van Ravenstein wears Ralph Lauren’s white cotton terry pullover and striped track pants.
Photographed by Bob Stone, Vogue, May 1973
Beverly Johnson keeps it “pure and simple [in] Ralph Lauren’s white cashmere cardigan and white silk pants, pale cotton plaid shirt underneath.”
Photographed by Irving Penn, Vogue, February 1, 1973