New York fashion week

Ralph Lauren
Celebrating 40 years in the fashion business since launching Polo Ralph Lauren with a line of wide neck ties, the master of American myth and legend sent out a stellar collection in a marquee constructed in the Central Park Conservatory Gardens, a botanical oasis off 105th Street. His thematic ruse were the genteel days of race going at the turn of the century – back then, race meetings were effectively the contemporary catwalk, with society showing off their finest.

Lauren hit all his famous notes – long bias-cut gowns in ivory and black with delicate silk corsages and his signature sporty T or crisscross backs; men’s tailoring for women such as natty three-piece suits with short trousers complete with key fobs; and a parade of watercoloured floral-print tea dresses with scarves to trail in the breeze.

The fantasy did not stop there as Lauren played with pastel pink jockey silks, turning race scene-printed fabric into bustle-backed cocktail dresses and jodhpurs – so a la mode – with neat blazers. One safe bet is that this collection will do exceptionally well. Show over, the back wall of the marquee pulled back to reveal the gardens set for a cinematically elegant dinner – the sirens and street action of the world outside temporarily it seemed shut down.

Images: Catwalking.com; Trendstop.com