Ralph Lauren is making a significant mark as 2026 unfolds.
This year saw the brand host a menswear show at Milan Fashion Week in January, gather top creators in Aspen, and dress Team USA’s athletes for the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies in Milan.
On a Tuesday evening, Ralph Lauren directed its focus back to New York City for its Autumn/Winter 2026 runway show, held at the Jack Shainman art gallery in Tribeca—the same spot for last year’s Autumn/Winter 2025 showcase. Although not officially part of New York Fashion Week, the brand has sequence its shows the night before the schedule begins, working alongside Marc Jacobs’ pre-schedule showing to unofficially launch the fashion week. Though this event lacked the grandeur of some prior shows—like September 2024’s in the Hamptons, which featured a one-night-only version of the Polo Bar—its essence was still meant to whisk guests away.
From the runway attire to the setting, the show conjured an image of a lavish hunting weekend, with notes indicating that this season’s woman embodies “a passion for adventure.” Pastoral landscapes adorned the walls while colorful oriental rugs covered the floor. Models graced the runway in rich, earthy tones seasoned with classic plaid and jacquard patterns. Many pieces felt like they belonged in an enduring country estate—think tweed blazers, caped trench coats, and over-the-knee riding boots. Yet modern elements made a bold appearance—sequined mini dresses, luxurious velvet gowns, and striking cheetah-print jackets coexisted with outfits incorporating both aesthetics, like cravat-style collars met with brooches or silk skirts featuring hunting scene prints.
The blend of fashion and celebrity was palpable, with stars such as Lana Del Rey, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Spector, and Ariana DeBose gracing the front row alongside notable K-pop stars like Krystal Jung and Kim Do-yeon.
Amid the winter hustle, ensuring that womenswear had its spotlight was key for the brand, as emphasized by David Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s chief branding and innovation officer (and son of the designer himself). The womenswear category is identified as a pivotal growth area for the brand.
“There’s a very clear vision for this brand and for this show,” Lauren stated. “While the men’s collection was eclectic, blending well between Polo and Purple Label, this show called for tight focus.”
Ralph Lauren has adeptly channeled its potential into sales growth in recent years. The brand has shifted from being an overexposed, often-discounted American name into a sought-after label for a wide-ranging global audience. During its investor day last fall, chief executive Patrice Louvet outlined the next phase aimed at enhancing the brand and expanding into underdeveloped areas, especially in womenswear showcased during the recent show.
With 19 consecutive quarters of sales growth to its name, Ralph Lauren now faces rising expectations. Although their fourth-quarter figures exceeded forecasts for sales and profits, the company’s stock dropped post-announcement. Investors were not satisfied with a 7 percent increase in sales, which lagged behind last year’s impressive 8 percent growth.
Shares have since recovered, but this temporary dip highlights the impressive standards to which Ralph Lauren has elevated itself; falling short can feel like a setback.
“How long can they maintain this positive momentum?” asked Blake Anderson, a senior analyst at Jefferies. “They’ve established a high benchmark, so stakeholders are eager to see continual strong performance.”
The brand remains confident that ample growth opportunities lie ahead. In addition to womenswear, Louvet also highlighted handbags and outerwear during last week’s earnings call as sectors to watch. The latter has recently garnered attention, seen both on Olympians at the parade of nations and showcased by creators like Meredith Hayden of Wishbone Kitchen and Devon Lee Carlson in Milan and Aspen.
“We tell many different tales, featuring various brands and aesthetics that all coexist under the Ralph umbrella,” Lauren noted. “Transitioning from the elegance of a collection show in New York to the exhilarating heights of the Olympics is incredibly fulfilling.”
Marketing moments are key to achieving this growth. The company has raised its marketing expenditure from 7.1 percent the previous year to 8 percent of sales last quarter, with a projected marketing range of 7.5 percent to 8 percent for the year. Louvet expressed “greater confidence than ever in our marketing ROI.”
“Our task is to keep executing at our best,” said Lauren.
