Ralph Lauren expands partnership with Morehouse College and Spelman College

Ralph Lauren has expanded its partnership with Morehouse College, a private and historically Black men's liberal arts college, and Spelman College, a private and historically Black women's liberal arts college, with a limited-edition collection.

The collection was a first-of-its-kind collaboration for Ralph Lauren as it marked the first time the American label has produced a campaign with an-all Black team of cinematographers, creative directors, photographers and talent.

Ralph Lauren, executive chairman and chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation, said in a statement: “This collection expresses the spirited history, deep sense of community and legacy of timeless dressing at historically Black colleges and universities.”

Ralph Lauren aims to reiterate its ongoing commitment to expand the ways in which it portrays the American dream with the collection.

Dr. David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College, explained: “The Morehouse partnership with Ralph Lauren intelligently, creatively and boldly puts this intersection on full display, reflecting the breadth of impact we have had in driving societal transformation throughout our history.”

Morehouse and Spelman alumni curated, designed and directed the collection with the aim of it to revisit a legacy of American collegiate style while also honouring the heritage and tradition of the schools.

Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, president of Spelman College, added: “By sharing the early history of Spelman, as reflected in archival research, through clothing, the collection encourages conversations about the creative power of the Black experience and the ways in which a personal fashion aesthetic intersects with institutional values of solidarity and connection.”

The collection is inspired by Morehouse and Spelman students from the 1920s to 1950s and consists of accessories, dresses, footwear, knits, outerwear, tailored suits and more. The white attire symbolises Spelman students’ induction into the college while the flannel blazers were given to Morehouse students during their first days on campus.