Ralph Lauren pays tribute to Black collegiate sophistication

Words by
Lee Cassanell

19th March 2022

Polo Ralph Lauren exclusively for Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection is coming soon.

Morehouse College and Spelman College, based in Atlanta, are historically predominantly Black institutions attended by alumni such as Stacey Abrams, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Spike Lee.

Two years ago, when the company’s  approach to operational representation and inclusivity was in  the spotlight, Lauren and his CEO co-published an open letter writing “We will examine how we portray the American Dream – in the stories we tell, the creators we champion, the faces we elevate, the families we hero, and the media partners we support.” Cut to the announcement of this new collection and the fashion label seems to be putting into practice what it preached. 

“This collection expresses the spirited history, deep sense of community and legacy of timeless dressing at historically Black colleges and universities,” said Lauren:

“It’s so much more than a portrayal of a collegiate design sensibility. It’s about sharing a more complete and authentic portrait of American style and of the American dream — ensuring stories of Black life and experiences are embedded in the inspiration and aspiration of our brand.”

Lauren's collection featuring suits, dresses, shoes, and knits inspired by clothing Morehouse and Spelman students wore between the 1920s and 1950s and “capturing the colleges' deep history and honoring their contributions to American style."