Create with Intent
Grounded in our enduring philosophy of timelessness, we are reimagining what and how we create – and the stories we tell through our products. This includes our work to embed inclusivity and incorporate circular principles into our designs, enabling our products to live on from generation to generation.
Integrated Circularity
We are designing products for circularity, considering their end of life, connecting consumers to opportunities for recycling, and investing in scalable innovations. Our four circular design principles guide our efforts: Create Responsibly, Design for Longevity, Inspire Circulation and Design for Cyclability.
Sustainable Materials
We thoughtfully craft our products to stand the test of time and live on responsibly. We are committed to sourcing materials certified to credible third-party standards and working towards increasing traceability across our supply chain.
Design with Intent
We’re on a journey to evolve from inspiration to collaboration with communities that inspire us as we expand our portrayal of America. At its core, Design with Intent is about making sure the products we create and the stories we tell are authentic expressions of heritage, which is foundational to our timeless brand.
Value Chain for Impact
To build a resilient and responsible value chain, we are continuing to create transparency and traceability, strengthen relationships with partners in our ecosystem and identify areas for improvement. We are also working with our suppliers to respect human rights and promote environmental sustainability.
CASE STUDY
Artist in Residence: Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses
In December 2023, Ralph Lauren launched the inaugural collection of the Company’s Artist in Residence program, Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses – a collaboration with seventh-generation Diné (Navajo) textile artist and weaver Naiomi Glasses. For two years, Glasses worked with the Polo Ralph Lauren design teams to reimagine her original weaving designs into three capsule collections inspired by her family, homelands and community on Dinétah (Navajo Nation).
Unveiled as three special-edition product launches through Fall 2024, this collection celebrates the artistry of timeless Navajo traditions from Naiomi’s perspective. A beautiful, 360˚ campaign promoting each collection was showcased across Ralph Lauren’s channels, including a three-part docuseries. All three drops featured many Indigenous models and talent behind the lens, including friends and family of Naiomi Glasses.
An avid turquoise collector, Naiomi curated a unique selection of handcrafted pieces by renowned jewelry-makers from Navajo Nation, Hopi Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo and Zuni Pueblo – featured in the campaign and sold online and in select flagship stores.
Ralph Lauren’s External Native and Indigenous Advisory Council advised the Company on the ideation, approach and creation of the program. Additionally, a portion of the sales of the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection support organizations serving communities within Navajo Nation and beyond.
We review applications for our Artist in Residence program on an ongoing basis. Apply to participate below.
CASE STUDY
Product Innovation
From concept to design, to the materials and processes we use, we are intentional about how we bring our products to life and enable them to live on. We continue to introduce iconic, high-quality and luxurious products that symbolize our commitment to creating with circularity in mind.
This past year, we certified two additional icons – the luxury Flag Cashmere Sweater and the Polo Denim Flag Trucker Jacket, our third and fourth products to be C2C Certified® Gold. The jacket is also made with 75% Regenagri® certified cotton and 25% recycled cotton and has removable buttons to enable recycling at the end of the product’s life cycle. These products follow the launch of our initial C2C Certified® Gold products, the classic, luxury Cashmere Crewneck Sweater and luxury Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater.
C2C certification is the global standard for products that are safe and circular. Ralph Lauren partnered with an independent assessment body to ensure every component of these four products meets the C2C Certified® Product Standards set by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII).
Also launched this year, our unisex, classic fit jean and trucker jacket were developed to meet The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s (EMF) The Jeans Redesign guidelines, which were created through a collaborative project that took place from 2019-2023. Crafted with features like removable metal buttons and a rivet-free design, the jean and trucker jacket were made for recyclability at the end of their usable life. Both products include recycled cotton.
CASE STUDY
Paris 2024: Team USA Collection
Ralph Lauren is proud to be an Official Outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. For the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, we thoughtfully considered materials and manufacturing practices for the Team USA collection.
Committed to investing in innovative ways to decrease the use of virgin materials, the Olympics Villagewear collection features the brand’s first-ever 100% Recycled Cotton Polo Shirt, which utilizes NFW CLARUS® technology to create a timeless icon that can be worn year after year, with less pilling and shrinkage. Styles throughout the collection, including Team USA’s Opening and Closing Ceremony Parade uniforms, are crafted with recycled polyester and USA-grown Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified wool, among other materials.
