LAND ahoy; Ralph Lauren dropped the anchor on New York’s Washington Street for their SS18 nautical collection. Kicking off with a series of white and blue printed dresses, we are taken on a trip to the tropics to celebrate their 50th year in the industry. Classic maritime colours are a prominent feature throughout, constantly adapting through development. Beach bags and exotic floral prints assist the bare footed styling with creating a resort ambiance, enhanced by the white plantation shutters and ocean blue floor.
Inspired by Lauren’s holidays to the paradise island of Jamaica, direct interpretations of aspects associated with nautical fashion shape the collection. Lace-up fisherman smocks and matching wellies blatantly play up to theme, but this could-be cheesy inspiration is taken to extreme allowing us to thoroughly its playfulness. But amongst the abundance of sailor stripes and signal code flags, sophisticated tailoring appeals to the commercial saleability of the See-Now-Buy-Now collection.
Once additional colours in bright yellows, reds and greens are introduced, the collection becomes a collation of graphic prints and colour blocking. Depictions of cruise liners and beach umbrellas adorn patent rain macs and turtleneck jumpers, while anchor pendants and espadrilles amplify the nautical theme. Trims and fastenings resembling the hardware found on sails and boating equipment also reinforce the theme as well as the Lauren’s attention to detail. Beach-ball stripes and double-breasted captain blazers lead the collection to a close, with models ending in the luxurious cabana staged at the top of the runway.
by Todd Burns