Held at the brand’s headquarters, the intimate show kept the focus on the clothes and their detailed construction.
Summary
- Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2026 collection balances strength and sensuality through precise tailoring in black, white, and red, mixing minimalist lines with soft details.
- Menswear-inspired pieces, like white suiting and shirting variations, blend with subversive elements such as volume in silhouettes and innovative materials.
- Accessories and venue emphasize ease and intimacy, with sculpted silver jewelry, woven bags, and a simple headquarters setting that keeps attention on the clothes.
For Spring 2026, Ralph Lauren held a show at the company’s headquarters on Madison Avenue. The collection presented was a controlled exercise in a palette of black, white, and red. It explored a contrast between strength and softness, building on the brand’s foundation of menswear designed for women.
Tailoring formed the collection’s base. A white polo coat was shown over a bra top and pants. White suiting appeared in several forms: a classic jacket belted over fluid trousers; a utility shirt jacket paired with a new balloon pant shape cinched at the ankle; and a trench jacket styled with pedal pushers. The classic shirt was also reinterpreted, appearing as an oversized bib-front version with a striped necktie at the waist, a poet’s tunic with a large neck bow, and as a crisp red mid-calf shirtdress.
Countering the tailoring were a number of dresses. The collection included a red cotton sundress with corset construction and a structured black A-line mini layered over a long, pleated skirt. An oversized floral dress had a forties silhouette. For evening, the options were red and black gowns, some with significant volume and others with body-conscious lines. A sequined skirt was paired with a simple shrunken black T-shirt. Throughout the collection, horizontal stripes and prints appeared on various pieces.
The materials used were a point of focus. Patchwork was used for a slip dress and overalls, both made from remnants of the collection’s white fabrics. There was also a notable use of leather. A bustier with a ruffle edge was made from stretch leather, and a suit was constructed from an ultra-light, parchment-like leather. A made-to-order skirt suit was crafted from thin leather strips embroidered onto linen.
Accessories continued the theme of contrast. Handbags were offered in sculpted silver metal, alongside structured woven market satchels. The Ralph Bag returned in a variety of woven and textured leathers. On the feet were brogues, espadrilles, and woven sandals, in both flat and heeled versions. Sculptural silver jewelry and wide-brimmed hats completed the looks.
