USA TODAY International Edition
Ralph Lauren throws a great party
Designer brings out the star power to celebrate his 50th anniversary
NEW YORK – There are fashion shows. And then there are Fashion
Shows.
Leave it to iconic designer and American treasure Ralph Lauren to go all-out in celebrating his 50th anniversary in the industry.
Here’s what you missed at the luxurious show and dinner at the Bethesda Terrace in Central Park:
1. Ralph Lauren’s humble, humorous speech
“This whole world here is a dream,” Lauren, clad in a tuxedo jacket and jeans, marveled. But he noted it’s not all glam. The crowd chuckled when Lauren said that at home he sometimes walks around “in a ripped robe and no towel.”
He continued, lauding his team: “I’m not the one who did all of this. This is a team. If I had to have a dream, this is beyond my dreams. Thank you very much. I love you.”
2. Oprah Winfrey’s brilliant toast
As guests took their seats in the courtyard of the Bethesda Terrace at Central Park, a loud voice boomed over the loudspeaker seemingly from out of nowhere. She couldn’t be seen, but the voice was unmistakable. “What a triumphant show. We salute you Ralph Lauren ... 50 years of designing our dreams, stimulating our ambitions. Your story exalts our collective story .... It’s not just about fashion, but about what is great about America . ... Your work has told the story of our lives – the lives we live, and the lives we aspire to live.”
3. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas loving it up for the cameras
The newly engaged couple arrived to cheers from a crowd gathered at the entry way to the event. They were all smiles as they paraded in, she in a silver, floor-length Ralph Lauren creation and he in a white tuxedo.
4. Pierce Brosnan surprising his model son
Brosnan told us he flew into New York specifically for the event to surprise his son Paris, who modeled in the show. The proud dad was spotted snapping photos on his cellphone and beaming.
5. A power table that wowed even the A-listers
An interesting mix: Lauren held court over a table that saw Oprah seated next to Hillary Clinton and Anna Wintour. Kanye West was even impressed to be there.
6. An impressively diverse group of models
Young, old, black, white, yellow, short, tall. Lauren’s runway reflected America’s diversity in a way that has rarely been seen at New York Fashion Week. The crowd welcomed it, giggling as toddlers walked the runway and oohing and ahhing as stately older gentlemen turned the corner.
7. “It” models in patchwork garb
We saw them take only a single turn on the runway, but Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber (Cindy Crawford’s 17-year-old daughter) brought star power to the show. Hadid wore a strapless, multipatterned patchwork gown, while Gerber braved the heat in velvet pants topped with a patchwork cape.