Ralph Lauren Home
Ralph Lauren Home
When you conjure the image of American style in your mind, the iconic Ralph Lauren Polo Player logo is never far behind. A worldwide fashion empire that spans nearly five decades, the brand continues to inspire every generation with their eternally unfailing signature style. This helps to keep Ralph Lauren arguably the most important American fashion & homeware brand in the business.
Brief history
Ralph Lauren started his designing journey with a collection of European-style wide neckties made from material scraps, which quickly launched his career when they were bought by Neiman Marcus in 1967, signalling the birth of the Ralph Lauren brand. A menswear collection swiftly followed in 1968 which lead to Bloomingdales opening a Polo Ralph Lauren shop in 1969. The company went from strength to strength and over a decade later a relatively unknown move in the fashion business thrust the brand even further into the limelight, with the Ralph Lauren all-encompassing homeware range launching in 1983. To this day the unveiling of each new yearly collection remains a much anticipated event in the design calendar.
The polo player logo swiftly became synonymous with classic American style and remains so to this day. Ralph Lauren not only creates fabulous individual pieces and collections but stands apart from other designers by telling a story & establishing a lifestyle around his designs. Every new collection is not just a series of items to own but a type of lifestyle to live and be a part of.
The swift progression of the brand from its small roots to the forefront of American consciousness, demonstrates the quality and time invested in each individual piece.
Style inspiration
Ralph Lauren explains on his website how his classic Americana style inspiration grew from humble beginnings…
‘I have always been inspired by the dream of America – families in the country, weathered trucks and farmhouses; sailing off the coast of Maine; following dirt roads in an old wood-panelled station wagon; a convertible filled with young college kids sporting crew cuts & sweatshirts and frayed sneakers.’
These simple inspirations sparked one of the greatest design minds in the world today and the brand still remains the champion of classic American style. Another great source of inspiration was the movies he watched as a child, such an influence were these that he has equated creating his designs to ‘making a movie’. Hollywood films also proved to be a catalyst for the fashion house, as in 1974 the brand became a household name when Ralph Lauren clothing adorned the cast of The Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford.
Style over fashion is a key idea when exploring the development of this enduring brand. In regards to his deign ethic Ralph goes on to explain ‘style is very personal, it has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over very quickly. Style is forever’. This perfectly demonstrates the ideals that have consistently shaped and moulded the Ralph Lauren brand over the years and positions them as the ultimate pioneers of eternal American style, not quickly fading trends.
Home collection
When the Ralph Lauren Home Collection debuted in 1983 it marked the completion of his lifestyle empire, he was offering up his luxury life to his customers through his coveted products, homeware was the final piece of the puzzle. The original collections were New England, inspired by his shingled beach house in Montauk, Long Island; Thoroughbred; based on his Bedford, New York classic English manor style estate; Log Cabin, modelled after his Colorado ranch & Jamaica which was fashioned on his coastal paradise atop Round Hill.
These original collections have remained a base point for each new season and have been effortlessly reimagined for constantly changing times, whilst retaining their defining qualities. In the Amara UK exclusive online collection you can see fabulous products reminiscent of these classic themes, such as the Villa Camelia floral bed linen range which would be right at home in Ralph’s Jamaican home, or the Horse Harness Hurricane which is straight out of an English-style country estate.
Bed linen
Ralph Lauren’s comprehensive bed linen range is the epitome of timeless luxury for any bedroom, with opulent thread counts ranging from 120 to 300. Only the finest materials are used at all times for bed linen including silky cotton sateen and lavish Egyptian cotton. The Ralph Lauren bedding selection spans from demure & elegant styles to bold patterns which would be right at home at Ralph’s palatial Jamaican villa. The subtle Glen Plaid collection for example features one of Ralph’s signature designs, a staple for the brand’s lifestyle collections since some of his first suits featured the pattern. With classic polo player logo ranges, checks & bright florals also available there is something for every classic Ralph Lauren lifestyle theme.
Wallpaper
Ralph Lauren now offers a wide range of luxurious wallpapers to instantly update your home. Complementing both contemporary and traditional interiors the stunning collection includes bold stripes, vintage toile prints & damask patterns in a range of vibrant & neutral hues.
Home accessories
From classically elegant glassware to chic tableware and decorative ornaments there is every item imaginable to adorn your home with, to add a touch of eternal style. Ralph Lauren glassware is vintage in essence and instantly recalls golden age Hollywood parties to mind, whilst fabulous office accessories are reminiscent of mahogany panelled walled rooms and plaid furniture seen in manor estates.
Lighting
The extensive lighting range from Ralph Lauren is guaranteed to bring old world elegance to any home or office. With a host of table & wall lamps expertly crafted from a range of exquisite metals there is a lighting option to create every atmosphere imaginable (please note all electrical items are for UK delivery only). A vast range of hurricanes and candle holders will allow you to bring a soft glow to any environment. From sleek and stylish designs crafted from the finest crystal to quirky items such as the Horse Harness lantern, or the Straton candle sticks crafted from American stag horns, there is something for any interior scheme. This beautiful Ralph Lauren lighting selection is a simple yet fabulous way to bring the coveted Ralph Lauren lifestyle to your home and the perfect way to turn your home’s interior style into a timeless theme.
Towelling & bathrobes
For the height of elegant bathroom style look no further than the Ralph Lauren dressing gown, towelling and bathrobe collection. In a range of classic colours to suit neutral schemes and vibrant shades to satisfy your wild side there is something to fit every personality. Every item is designed with pure comfort in mind, ranging from 420-450gsm bathrobes to luxurious 820gsm bathmats; each piece is luxuriously soft to the touch and perfect for wrapping up in after a long soak in the tub. As with all Ralph Lauren Home products, the finest materials in the world are used to create the bathroom range. From luxuriously combed to extravagant 100% Egyptian, only the most opulent cotton varieties can be found in the bathrobes, towels & bathmats. The Greenwich range even allows you to colour coordinate all three, so you can adorn your whole bathroom with these sumptuous ranges.
Wherever your home, the classic style of the Ralph Lauren Home Collection will add a touch of old world luxury to every room. Each decadent piece is an exhibit of timeless elegance and grace, which will continue to delight and not fade with passing trends. Just a glimpse of the coveted lifestyles the brand offers will have you hooked and effortlessly demonstrates why Ralph Lauren remains eternally at the top of the fashion & interiors industries.