Humanism 101: Polo Ralph Lauren x Oak Bluffs: A Portrait of the American Dream
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Humanism 101: Polo Ralph Lauren x Oak Bluffs: A Portrait of the American Dream AOC Fashion
Today it’s time for a retraction, and Anne doesn’t do retractions often.
Writing about the Ralph Lauren Pre-Fall 2025 Campaign in early July, shot by Tyler Mitchell, I noted that the Ralph Lauren name — and especially Polo Ralph Lauren — carries great symbolism and respect in the Black community.
Two Humanists: Cucinelli and Lauren
My retraction comes from this early July 2025 statement in the discussion of Tyler Mitchell’s campaign:
No one articulates humanist values like Brunello Cucinelli, but Ralph is way up there delivering major marketing changes but without a visual bullhorn.
With the release of Polo Ralph Lauren’s new Oak Bluff Collection, its second collaboration with Morehouse College and Spelman College and their research and archival teams, I’m ending the competition in my mind between the two designers, great brand builders and global humanists. They are equal global good guys after today.
Models in the Oak Bluffs campaign include Aaliyah Hydes, Aya Jones, Jecardi Sykes and Samuel Elie. Photographer Nadine Ijewere [IG] captured the stills for Polo Ralph Lauren x Oak Bluffs 2025 [IG]. James M. Jeter worked as Creative Director. / Hair by Mideyah Parker; makeup by Aurore Gibrien
The release of the Oak Bluff 20-minute documentary video is unparalleled in my knowledge of luxury brand history. It’s a gift to America in this very difficult time in our national history. Every reader of AOC knows where Anne stands on this topic.
Ralph Lauren has said about the new Polo event:
“This collection is about more than a charming coastal town; it’s a story of the American dream. Oak Bluff’s unique history, traditions and sense of community deeply inspire me to speak to what we are all searching for – a place where you can be free, uncontrived, joyful and truly at home.”
The Ralph Lauren 2024 Citizenship & Sustainability Report
Examined through the Ralph Lauren Corporate business lens, Ralph Lauren launched in 2022 the ‘Design with Intent’ program. This project is so ambitious that it involves weekly meetings dedicated to cultural awareness and the responsible commitment to telling America’s stories with absolute truth and integrity.
To be clear, the Ralph Lauren brand teams are committed to telling the stories of all Americans. In 2024, delegations from Ralph Lauren — yes ‘delegations’ and it’s their word, not AOC’s — attended and participated in the International Folk Art Market, the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Cherokee Nation Art Market and Original 2023 in Mexico City.
