Ralph Lauren, like many great american brands, evolved while staying true to their roots. Ralph’s iconic “Polo” line evokes thoughts of Ivy League, or Hamptons prep, yet remains undeniably American West. Nantucket meets Telluride.
With the commercial success of Polo, Ralph pressed on in 1994 and launched Purple Label. The brand, which insiders know as the pinnacle of luxury. Refined, precise and tasteful, taking some inspiration from Saville Row, all while reinvigorating the perception of American tailoring. His description that accompanied the first Purple Label collection was an antithesis of the “dress down” trend. “Men can look cool, sexy, elegant at all ages in sophisticated clothes. It doesn't have to be trendy; it doesn't have to be flashy… The most important thing is that it's not this year's look, it's a forever look.”
Early purple label ad
Why we love Purple Label
First and foremost, we love that it’s made by craftsmen. This is the approach to fashion that we admire and promote at The Helm. The smaller production runs also mean the attention to detail is a major factor in Purple Label, every little thing is thought through - the mother of pearl buttons, the clean lines, the buttery softness of the suede. It's all done with intention and care.
“I have always loved things that are timeless and get better with age” once said Ralph Lauren, such a simple statement but yet speaks volumes about how we feel about Purple Label.”
We also like the idea that you’ll be the owner of these pieces for years to come. As the world struggles with the impact of fast fashion, there's comfort in knowing things will last and stay relevant. A good example of this is the Barron overshirt, a classic two pocket layering piece made from ultra plush lamb suede, or the playful swim shorts featuring a bold floral pattern made in collaboration with Mantero.
What’s your favorite Ralph Lauren line? Tell us your thoughts.
