Ralph Lauren: All American Style

In his program notes for his show this morning Ralph Lauren included a blurb about the inspiration for the collection which focused on denim in all it's incarnations from the real thing cut and studded with crystals, to a silk washed to look like denim and even denim-dyed silk tulle. "I believe in the resilient spirit of America," Lauren wrote. "Hard times seem to sharpen our capacity for idealism and our optimism..." Lauren is one of the most idealistic designers I've ever met and no matter what he shows on the runway he always spreads his optimism around a bit and his audience inevitably exits his shows with a bounce in their step. Lauren, who also said that this season he was inspired by the character of the worker, the farmer, the cowboy and the pioneer woman, is always at his best when he ventures deep into the heart of Americana. Today he did that with pretty floral print cotton prairie dresses, wide-cuffed overalls, pin-stripe suits, and some really snappy looking navy blue blazers. More than anything the collection illustrated Lauren's amazing focus. There's a great August Wilson quote that goes something like this: "Style 'ain't nothing but keeping the same idea from beginning to end." Nobody in the fashion business demonstrates that better than Ralph Lauren.

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