At his Madison Avenue headquarters, Ralph Lauren unveiled his Spring/Summer 2026 collection in what felt like both a celebration of legacy and a bold step forward. Nearing six decades at the forefront of fashion—and recently nominated for the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year—Lauren reaffirmed why his influence remains unshakeable in an industry obsessed with constant reinvention.

Guests were welcomed into a setting of understated grandeur: plush cushioned benches and pillows in place of the usual rigid seating, a detail that underscored Lauren’s quiet luxury. Hollywood icons including Laura Dern, Naomi Watts, and Oprah Winfrey graced the front row, further elevating the evening into a cultural moment.

This season, Lauren shifted gears from the opulence of autumn’s velvets and ruffles to a crisper, more elemental palette. Red, black, and white formed the backbone of a collection where tailored jackets paired seamlessly with bandeaus, and trousers cinched with sarong-inspired wraps. Masculine precision met feminine ease, embodying Lauren’s theme of “strength and sensuality.”

Hints of seaside elegance threaded through the show: cabana stripes, wide-brimmed straw hats, and silver shell pendants. As twilight-inspired looks emerged—slip dresses cut daringly low at the back, shimmering gowns that caught the light—the collection revealed its duality: minimal yet romantic, polished yet unmistakably Ralph.

The night closed with a standing ovation, affirming not just Lauren’s continued relevance but also his role as a lodestar for both established names and emerging talents. Designer Ashlynn Park captured the mood best, calling it “an incredible American dream”—a phrase that seemed to embody both the man and the moment.