Ralph Lauren s Pre-Fall collection was born the day he strode into the design studio in his own pair of fringed suede pants. The proof was in the slimmed-down style in a warm shade of camel that hung from the racks of his Madison Avenue flagship, where the brand held an informal presentation this morning. Next to it: a double-breasted cashmere jacket, also in camel, with a matching fringed scarf slung over the shoulders. The blazer was a little bit country and a little bit city. It s tempting to summarize the whole lineup that way, but in the end Lauren s urban inclinations won the day (and night). The Western influence really only extended as far as the fringe, which also showed up as a detail on cozy sweaters, at the hem of a fun crocheted knit dress, and as a decoration on practical bucket bags. His other embellishment of choice was beads: Embroidered in a glittering Art Deco motif on a wisp of a top, they held the promise of a glamorous evening. Otherwise the designer was thinking sleek and streamlined, with, among other things, a collarless cashmere coat, wide-leg trousers with vents above the knees, and a plonge leather shirtdress. A strict palette of ivory and camel added to the feeling of elegant, uptown restraint.
Lauren s PR team wouldn t say which stars they re working with for the Golden Globes on Sunday, but if we were a celebrity stylist, we d get the silk cady evening column with the delicately beaded lace sleeves and open back on the next flight to L.A. It would look sensational on nominee Robin Wright.
