Ralph Lauren goes east
Fashion from the Ralph Lauren fall 2011 collection is modeled on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, during Fashion Week in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) Credit: AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
It was only last season that Ralph Lauren regaled us with his vision of high-class duds from America’s Western frontier. His clothes for fall have gone the other way, literally, with a distinctive eastern flair.
The lineup was mostly black, restrained, with startles here and there: a classic Ralph suit topped by a Chinese red shantung coat, a pop of amethyst, emerald, all with seriously slim, controlled silhouettes save for a looser bottom – silky pajama trousers, or slightly cropped “martial arts” pants, and sumptuous shearling wraps tossed nonchalantly about the shoulders.
Suitings ruled – classic Ralph man-tailoring – starched white shirts, pinstripes, and tuxedos. For evening, slim, long gowns – an unembellished, one-shouldered velvet job, some deco beading -- and for cocktail, a kimono style in fluid silk.
The finale dress was deco to the max with the model wearing a bugle-beaded silver hood that matched the collar of her slither gown. And wow, the jewels – precious dangles, diamond timepieces…all the more to covet.
