Holding Heritage: Ralph Lauren's Influence Through Storytelling
- Kick The Concrete
- Aug 14
- 5 min read
Ralph Lauren is an icon of American Style. For over 50 years, the brand (and the man) has influenced the world to dream of a life where timeless and lasting style is part of their story.
From Olympic stadiums to the streets of Brooklyn, from the grass courts of Wimbledon to the shores of Martha's Vineyard, Ralph Lauren's aesthetic reflects a deep love of heritage and community in the stories told through the brand.
I’ve always believed in the power of sharing stories – the spaces they create, the communities they build, and the way heritage is preserved through them. Stories inspire us to dream and offer endless opportunities, not only for ourselves but for all those who come after.
Ralph Lauren | A Heritage Preserved | Black History Month 2023
Some may say these stories are what make Ralph Lauren iconic in style. And while there are many brands under the RL umbrella — Ralph Lauren Luxury, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Chaps and Hospitality — it's Polo Ralph Lauren that seems to tell the best stories.
The Origin of Polo Ralph Lauren
While athleisure is the go-to fashion of today, it was the creation of Polo Sport Ralph Lauren in 1992 that helped spawn the idea of workout wear as fashion. Everyone took notice when Tyson Beckford — graced with the occasional presence of supermodel Naomi Campbell — became the face of Polo Sport.
Ralph Lauren's brother, Jerry, described it as "streetwear for sport." Not only was Polo Sport functional, but it was cool enough to wear on the street.
Over the years, the desire for luxury sportswear has exploded, and so has the opportunity for Ralph Lauren to tell the stories of heritage, tradition and the American dream through Polo Sport and its unmatched style.
Ralph Lauren as an official outfitter for tennis, Olympics
As an official outfitter for the US Open, The Championships at Wimbledon, and Team USA, Ralph Lauren puts sportsmanship and tradition front and center.
In 2005, Polo Ralph Lauren became the official outfitter for the US Open of tennis. While the players each have their own brand sponsor, in appreciation of the dedicated athletes working hard on the sidelines, Ralph Lauren wanted to create sportswear that moved and breathed with them. After all, they are an integral part of the tournament. The collaboration includes fits not just for the on-court ball crew and officials, but has evolved into an exclusive collection of colorful, comfortable pieces available in various styles for fans of all ages.
Wimbledon and Polo Ralph Lauren first teamed up in 2006 with a similar objective to the US Open but with a slightly more subdued color palette. Polo outfits the entire operation. The on-court ball crew, officials and behind-the-scenes staff all wear designs featuring The Championships' signature purple and green with the brand's addition of navy. A signature collection of pieces like hats, sweaters, polos, tees and much more is available to the fans to grace the stands in Wimbledon style.
The Olympics are woven into Polo Ralph Lauren's DNA. Polo Sport's original Stadium Collection was inspired by the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. Polo Ralph Lauren became the official outfitter of Team USA for the Beijing Summer Games in 2008 and has been since. American Olympic and Paralympic athletes sport the red, white and blue with graphics, color-blocking and stripes for both the opening and closing ceremonies. Ralph Lauren's motivation for the story told through his Olympic designs is to “...inspire values that surpass sport, that surpass fashion, that stand for quality, integrity, and a spirit of optimism.”
As an official outfitter, RL consistently puts careful consideration into color palette and design to ensure it reflects the enthusiasm, intent, challenge and passion of the athletes and fans alike. The bold color-blocking for the US Open. The sophisticated, timeless blue and green for Wimbledon. The red, white and blue for Team USA. Each tells the stories of traditions that have endured for decades.
A Voice to Preserve American History with HBCUs
In 2022, Ralph Lauren partnered with Morehouse and Spelman colleges to honor their history in American fashion. The Polo Ralph Lauren collection embraced the vintage style of students in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) from the 1920s to the 1950s. The accompanying short film,"A Portrait of the American Dream," features historical photos and commentary from presidents, faculty and students from both colleges, as well as Ralph Lauren's words on the significance of HBCUs in American history. There was also a commemorative yearbook.
Then, in the short film, "A Heritage Preserved," Ralph Lauren celebrated Black History Month in February 2023 from the historical Akwaaba Mansion in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, by inviting cultural leaders for a conversation on the importance of Black heritage and the American dream.
Today, building on the vision of preserving Black heritage, Ralph Lauren partnered with Morehouse and Spelman colleges once again to create an entire Polo Ralph Lauren collection inspired by the town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. For over a century, this coastal community on Martha's Vineyard has been where Black professionals, creatives, scholars and students have enjoyed a leisurely vacation. It is a community where legacy and home ownership (or second-home ownership) are cherished. Historically, where kids witnessed their highly fashionable parents build community as they gathered for "five-to-sevens" in the evening to catch up on the day. And now, generations later, those same families return year after year.
In its efforts to capture the heart of Black American life through the stories of Oak Bluffs, Ralph Lauren created a film, a playlist, a book, an Oak Bluffs webpage for discovery, and, of course, the collection, Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs.
Welcoming Artists in Residence like Naiomi Glasses
Ralph Lauren has set a standard in storytelling within its brand. Its Design with Intent initiative ensures that the style and stories that come from Ralph Lauren are authentic and correctly represent the fullness of American heritage and the American dream.
Navajo designer Naiomi Glasses grew up wearing Polo dresses and learned weaving from her grandmother. It was a dream come true when she was asked to be part of Ralph Lauren's Artists in Residence program. She worked with the brand's team to bring to life her designs in a way that represented her aesthetic and culture.
To honor the storytelling aspect of Glasses' heritage, Ralph Lauren created a short film, "Love of the Land," where she describes her creative process...
"It's about how you carry yourself," she said, "your intentions, how you treat people and how you are just presenting yourself as a person and if you're doing it in beauty and in balance."
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