After Day 2 of the Olympics, Athletes Partied With Ralph Lauren at the Paris Outpost of Ralph’s Restaurant
After wearing Team USA’s Ralph Lauren-designed opening ceremony ensembles on Friday night—navy blazers with blue and white piping, blue and white striped oxford shirting, and perfectly cut jeans—a few athletes were in them again on Saturday for a party hosted by Ralph Lauren. The location of the fete was (where else?) Ralph’s Restaurant in the 5th arrondissement, and the night was aptly referred to as “An Evening at Ralph’s.”
Spirits were high given the party followed the US women’s water polo team’s big win over Greece, and they continued on that way well on into the night at the Americana-in-Paris-themed eatery.
In attendance at the event—which was not so much a sit-down dinner as a cocktail dînatoire—included Dr. Jill Biden, (who was one of many notable Olympic spectators earlier in the day, cheering on the US women s water polo team in a RL American flag sweater), her grandchildren, Emma Chamberlain, Nick Jonas, Jessica Chastain, and more. Athletes Jeffrey Louis (a.k.a. Jeffro, the Texan dancer competing in the first-ever Olympic breakdancing competition) and Chiaka Ogbogu (the New-Jersey-born volleyball player and member of the women’s national team) were also out, having received special permission to attend the party. (There are strict curfew rules for Olympians.)
Guests were greeted by a decadent raw bar, where lobsters were as plentiful as the red, white, and blue decor. Speaking of, floral arrangements in a patriotic theme—white hydrangeas, red roses, and blue delphiniums—also filled the space.
The party started at 8:30 p.m. and guests caught up about their Olympic plans. Chamberlain, Jonas, and Chastain revealed they were excited to attend the gymnastics events the next morning; David Lauren, who was holding court at the party, welcomed the group to the RL box to watch the competitions. All were jazzed about seeing Simone Biles: “It’s going to be epic,” said Jonas, who had only arrived in Paris that morning.
Of her highlights from the week, Chamberlain, in a mix-matched striped archival Ralph Lauren set, told Vogue, "I keep saying the highlight is Céline Dion; she’s magic! That performance was absolutely magic. Everybody was crying, everybody was choked up. She’s an unbelievable human being and to watch in person is unbelievable.”
Dr. Biden, now dressed in an elegant sheer blazer over cream-colored trousers, was the unofficial guest of honor of the night. As she walked through the party, guests applauded and reveled in her support of Team USA. Spike Lee, sporting a fun turned up cap, even kissed her hand as a show of support for her and her husband.
The night didn’t linger too long; the athletes had to get themselves to bed, and the spectators needed energy to cheer them on. An evening at Ralph’s? Well, it’s always a good time.
Darren Gerrish2/27Lauren Bush Lauren and David Lauren
