Polo Ralph Lauren Launches New Collection Celebrating the Historically Black Roots of Oak Bluffs
The capsule honors the small Martha's Vineyard town that has long been home to African American communities.
Ralph Lauren is continuing its commitment to celebrating Black culture and communities with a new initiative.
Three years after partnering with Morehouse and Spelman colleges on a collegiate capsule, the brand has announced the launch of Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs, a limited-edition collection that honors the small Martha’s Vineyard town. A historic cultural haven for African American communities for more than a century, the seaside escape has long been a summer destination frequented by everyone from seasonal beachgoers to close-knit Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) alumni.
The new collection—which reflects Ralph Lauren’s Design with Intent efforts to create products that honor authentic expressions of heritage—celebrates the legacy of the Oaks Bluffs community through classic, nautical-inspired pieces and embroidered details that pay homage to the island’s history and landmarks. Highlights include a men’s and women’s twill jacket adorned with iconic landscapes and motifs and classic sport caps in white, red, and navy.
Continuing the spirit of the 2022 Morehouse and Spelman collection, Ralph Lauren has also collaborated with alumni of the historic Black colleges, who conceptualized and designed timeless off-campus collegiate-style apparel for the Oak Bluffs line. Standout pieces include a maroon-and-white satin varsity jacket with Morehouse's Maroon Tiger and an ivory-and-light blue patchwork cardigan with Spelman's beloved jaguar mascot alongside distinctive details that celebrate historic landmarks of its campus, as well as a mix of collegiate baseball caps, sun-faded knits, and more.
“This collection is about more than a charming coastal town; it’s a story of the American dream,” Ralph Lauren, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation, said in a statement. “Oak Bluffs’ unique history, traditions and sense of community deeply inspire me and speak to what we are all searching for – a place where you can be free, uncontrived, joyful and truly at home.”
Alongside the collection, Ralph Lauren has released a campaign that brings the stories of Oak Bluffs to life. It was directed by author, director, and producer Cole Brown, who brought decades of memories from summers spent on Martha’s Vineyard to the project, including imagery shot on-island and a short documentary film called A Portrait of the American Dream: Oak Bluffs, which will be shown at the 2025 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in August.
The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection will be available to shop globally on Thursday, July 24.
Polo Ralph Lauren Launches New Collection Celebrating the Historically Black Roots of Oak Bluffs
The capsule honors the small Martha's Vineyard town that has long been home to African American communities.
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