Out of Office! A Summer Friday Luncheon in the World of Ralph Lauren

Naomi WattsHannah Turner Harts/BFA.com

In July 1998, Ralph Lauren made a bold commitment. Under the Polo Ralph Lauren moniker, he pledged $13 million to the Smithsonian Institution to restore and preserve the Star-Spangled Banner—the iconic 30-by-42-foot flag featuring 15 stars and stripes that inspired Francis Scott Key’s poem-turned-patriotic anthem. Eight years later, in 2006, the preserved flag was unveiled to great acclaim, seemingly igniting a deeper passion for preservation in the designer.

That same year, Lauren turned his attention closer to home. East Hampton’s Mulford Farm—a farmhouse dating back to 1680—was revitalized over four years thanks to his support. Now, nearly two decades later, the historic property played host to a sunny summer luncheon on a Friday afternoon, held in partnership with the East Hampton Historical Society. “The Hamptons is part of the DNA and the history of the brand,” David Lauren told Vogue. “We want everyone here to just take some time to appreciate the beauty of this community.”

Under the shadow of the neighboring Pantigo windmill, the farm’s lawn was transformed into a coastal, al fresco iteration of The Polo Bar—Ralph Lauren style. White wicker furniture with a perfect vintage patina was accented with sage-green cushions, while servers passed signature cocktails and bites: lemonade-spiked Hamptons Spritzes and lobster rolls with airy fries served in sterling silver chalices. Weekend drivers slowed for a look—and a celebratory honk—as they cruised down Main Street.

Actress Molly Gordon, enjoying a brief respite from promoting her new film Oh, Hi! and casting her directorial debut, was among the first to take it all in. “It’s just classic, classic—truly the best of everything,” she told Vogue. “This is the true feeling of summer. And it might be a little chilly today, but that just means I get to wear my perfectly tailored jacket.”

She joined Naomi Watts, Becky Malinsky, Lauren Bush Lauren, and Aerin Lauder, alongside a deeper bench of Ralph Lauren insiders who left Manhattan early to join the festivities: senior vice president Michel Botbol; Polo Ralph Lauren men’s creative director John Wrazej; and
Karen Brody, Polo Ralph Lauren women s creative director, who is slated to show the next collection in Paris this October. Together, the group reflected on last year’s Hamptons runway show at Khalily Stables—a grand affair with hundreds in attendance. This afternoon, by contrast, was more intimate.

Beyond a tour of Mulford Farm, guests enjoyed a rustic feast of local produce and florals, styled to perfection beside copies of Ricky Lauren’s latest cookbook, The Hamptons: Food, Family, and History, and a stack of covetable Ralph Lauren Purple Label baseball caps—strictly not for sale. As a gathering of die-hard RL devotees, few left without tucking one (or two… or three) into their tote bags—a memento of a Summer Friday well spent, and a stylish escape from the city.