Polo Ralph Lauren is paying homage to Morehouse and Spelman’s long history of trendsetting with a new collaboration.
The collection will debut on March 29th and honor the traditions and deep-rooted fashion heritage of the 1920s and 50s at the Historically Black Colleges. The iconic brand pulled off the collab with help from Black creative directors, photographers, cinematographers, and models, most of which attend both schools.
HBCUs have long been credited with birthing unique and often imitated collegiate styles. Ralph Lauren is eager to emphasize this and the impact that African Americans have on fashion as a whole.
“It was really important to steep this in history to show that this is not new,” said Morehouse alum and Ralph Lauren director of concept design and special projects, James Jeter.
Spelman College President Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell said that she wanted to highlight the clothing of the Civil Rights Movement, where students who protested paid extra attention to detail during demonstrations.
“Students who sat at lunch tables, or who protested in front of segregated department stores or marched in protests always did so with deliberate and planned consciousness of their dress,” Dr. Campbell stated.
Collection staples such as cardigans and sweaters with the notable M and S will be included in the limited-edition line. Pieces in the collection range from $20 to $2,500 and will debut in an exclusive presale to Morehouse and Spelman students and staff before the official launch. The capsule will be available for purchase on the Ralph Lauren website and in retail stores, the Polo App, and Morehouse College and Spelman College Follett campus bookstores.
