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The Hamptons has been a special source of inspiration throughout Ralph Lauren’s 58 years of impeccable style. Not only has this iconic seaside resort provided the perfect backdrop for the American fashion institution’s signature looks—blending the preppiness of Ivy League with elevated coastal and rustic aesthetics—but it has also doubled as a long-serving haven for the man with his name on the tag.
“The Hamptons is more than a place,” Lauren says. “It’s a natural world of endless blue skies, the ocean, green fields, and white fences, rusticity and elegance with a quality of light that drew artists here decades ago. It has been home, my refuge, and always an inspiration.”
With this deep connection in mind, what better way for Ralph Lauren to launch its latest campaign than by showcasing this special link between destination and designer? Labelled ‘Ralph’s Hamptons’, the new offering has rolled out across both the Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Polo Ralph Lauren collections, and the legendary brand marked this special event by throwing an intimate celebration in Sydney’s north. We were there to experience the festivities for ourselves.
Entering Ralph’s World
Located about 40 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, the property that hosted our evening offered the perfect encapsulation of Ralph Lauren’s inspired blend of the elegant and the rustic. Walking down the pebble-stone driveway, we were greeted by a pair of stunning Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters that helped set a tone of undeniable sophistication. Despite their vintage, these luxury vehicles embody a timelessness that’s a cornerstone of the Ralph Lauren brand and is further echoed in the new collection.
As we sipped a champagne or two and took in our surroundings—a beautiful sunset slowly dipped below a distant tree-topped hill as a chestnut horse trotted nearby—it was impossible to look around at our fellow guests and not be struck by how recognisable the Ralph Lauren aesthetic truly is.
Each attendee had been glamorously outfitted in pieces from the latest collection, which made it clear that ‘Ralph’s Hamptons’ is an expansive exploration of one of Ralph Lauren’s signature pairings: shades of blue and white.
Unmistakable and Authentic
Without exception, every item Ralph Lauren produces is classically, iconically its own. From the timelessness of Ralph Lauren Purple Label’s Hand-Tailored Wool Gauze Sport Coat in Classic Chairman Navy and the Striped Linen Shirt in Cornflower Blue and White, to Polo Ralph Lauren staples like the Polo Shirt—an American essential since 1972—and the Cable-Knit Cotton Jumper.
When grouped together, these items’ collective palette of blues and whites acutely speaks to a sense of coastal elegance and eternal American style. They recall a deep ocean meeting the expansive sky, and bright sandy shores embraced by the froth of the waves. According to the brand, this pairing is intended to reflect the beauty and peacefulness of the natural world, which remains one of Ralph Lauren’s greatest inspirations.
Good Company, Great Food, Gorgeous Clothes
As the sun disappeared, we were gently ushered into a working stable that had been lovingly converted into a dining hall for the evening.
There, three delicious Hamptons-worthy courses were served. First came the lobster brioche with lemon crème fraiche and chive and celery. This was followed by a main consisting of a salmon fillet served with spinach and herb crust and potato galette with citrus butter. And finally, our all-American dessert came in the form of an apple pie-inspired spiced apple and vanilla with gingerbread honey sponge.
Each dish in its own way helped pay tribute to the Hamptons, building a culinary atmosphere that left those in attendance feeling as if the waves of the North Atlantic Ocean might be found just outside the stable doors.
Sadly, with the disappearance of the last morsels of apple pie, it was time to bring our evening of Hamptons-inspired escapism to a close. If you’d like to capture some of that spirit for yourself, heading online to discover the ‘Ralph’s Hamptons’ campaign from Ralph Lauren is a perfect place to start. From there, we’d recommend exploring timeless, iconic American design at your local, immaculately appointed Ralph Lauren boutique.
