Ralph Lauren went horseback riding in the Hamptons.
The all-American designer kicked off Spring 2025 New York Fashion Week on Thursday night with a gala event for nearly 200 VIPs and celebrities at Khalili Stables, the tony Bridgehampton equestrian complex. The glitzy event was also attended by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Usher, Tom Hiddleston, Jude Law, Kacey Musgraves, H.E.R., Laura Dern and Naomi Watts.
On the grassy field near the paddock and stalls, the designer built a spotless white open-air runway pavilion to connect to a reconstruction of his famous Polo Bar, a monumental construction and decor effort that took six weeks. The temporary restaurant was appointed with the same clubby leather banquettes, signature green-and-white china, flashy lighting and estate artwork that hang in his Midtown hotspot, and served his famous comfort food. The atmosphere was so convivial that stars like Colman Domingo, Joey King and Andra Day chatted with fashion folks in the brass lantern-lit bar area and the spacious dining room, which was nearly twice as large as the original.
Lauren showcased the collection, Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren and childrenswear with a cast of all ages. Supermodel Christy Turlington, her daughter Grace Burns and nephew James Turlington showcased stunning looks. James' mother Kelly cheered him on from the front row, while his friend Naomi Watts jokingly asked him to come down the catwalk with his family.
Celebrity singer Naomi Campbell also stepped out twice wearing all-white outfits: a baseball cap, jacket and pants and a knotted T-shirt over a beaded evening skirt.
Wearing a pale yellow button-down shirt and trousers, Usher paid tribute to his old friend Campbell. “It's buttery,” the hitmaker said of his outfit. “It's very limoncello-like in America. It's Ralph Lauren Purple Label and you'll see it next year.”
Immaculate ivory – used in natty linen suiting, long prairie skirts and ruffled cowboy pants – was another color theme, along with myriad shades of blue. There was plenty of denim, reminiscent of Ralph's Team USA opening ceremony uniforms at the Paris Olympics, and bold brightly colored sportswear.
After the show, a handsome Tom Hiddleston told Alexa he's a fan of Ralph's timeless-with-a-twist menswear. “The older I get, the more I realize that clothes are part of your expression. There's nothing like a beautifully made suit,” the “Loki” star said. “The ease of great tailoring I find very inspiring.”
And then he popped into the Polo Bar pop-up, where the fun was all the rage.
