Ralph Lauren’s AW25 muse? The Modern Romantic – equal parts dandy, dreamer and daredevil
Ralph Lauren's autumn/winter '25 collection, titled The Modern Romantics, is for women who dress with instinct, not instruction. In a departure from the evening showcases of his recent collections, Mr. Lauren opted for a naturally lit space in TriBeCa for a daytime scheduling, offsetting the seductive moodiness of the clothes. This contrast was one of just many offered this season: masculine challenged feminine, rugged balanced refined, a streak of rebellion countered the heritage spirit. All threads in Lauren’s extensive tapestry, pulled tighter than ever this season.
At the heart of it all, the dandy’s shirt. High-necked, jabot-frilled and starched, the white shirt was reimagined over and again, tucked into pleated trousers, spilling from cashmere coats, or layered beneath lace. It was a spine that anchored the collection’s most theatrical flourishes, from velvet halters to bustiers and panné gown.
Lauren’s genius lies in subverting the romantic with the real (note a distressed leather aviator jacket thrown over ruffles, and a utilitarian boiler suit lined with silk). Texture played a starring role, from the buttery dégradé of leather-to-suede outerwear to a mesmerising corded velvet floral, created using a mix of hand-printing and airbrushing techniques. Even the accessories nodded to duality: over-the-knee and cowboy boots paired with the Ralph Satchel – a new addition to the Ralph handbag range with a purposeful, unfussy design inspired by Mr. Lauren’s collection of high-
performance cars.
Eveningwear leaned romantic, but never saccharine. Tiered silk-knit halters spiralled around the body with soft precision; belted jackets cinched chiffon skirts with a gutsy edge. Then, Danish supermodel Mona Tougaard floated out in the final look: a belted off-white shirtdress, delicately inset with lace.
There was a note of nostalgia at play too. A sequinned sampler sweater, inspired by an ‘80s Ralph Lauren campaign featuring model Clotilde Holby, shimmered with fresh relevance – proof that Lauren knows when to quote himself, and when to evolve.
See the full Ralph Lauren AW25 collection below:
