Polo Ralph Lauren Highlights Sustainability at the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament

Ball Person Uniform apparel to be made from recycled plastic bottles

For the 2019 US Open Tennis tournament, Polo Ralph Lauren has reimagined the US Open Ball Person uniform apparel to be made of recycled materials. Further to the Company’s recently announced renewed strategy on citizenship and sustainability - Design the Change - the new uniform reinforces Ralph Lauren’s commitment to sustainability. Specifically, the uniforms are part of the company’s journey to using 170 million recycled plastic bottles in its products and packaging and to completely convert the use of virgin poly-fiber to recycled poly-fiber in the supply chain by 2025.

The 2019 US Open Ball Person uniform apparel will be made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles. The fabric making up each item in the uniform – the Polo Shirt, Short and Skort – will be made of up to 7 plastic bottles. The fabric will additionally have functional performance features, like stretch and moisture-wicking properties, that are constructed for active play.

In addition, Polo Ralph Lauren will be collecting plastic tennis ball cans in partnership with Wilson at this year’s tournament, to be made into the fabric for the 2020 Ball Person uniform. Over the course of the tournament, approximately 12,000 cans will be collected and recycled. 

Complementing the uniform is a bold, graphic and playful collection of off -court styles inspired by the Polo Sport brand from the 1990s. The collection is done in a fresh, primary color palette of red, blue, yellow and green and features playful graphics, bold color-blocking and fun tie-dyed pieces. 

Once again, Polo Ralph Lauren will offer a comprehensive customization program on-site at the US Open. An exciting presentation of Polo apparel and accessories, including Polo Shirts, Water Bottles and Totes - can be personalized through an innovative printing process. Customers can enjoy the US Open experience while they wait for their designs to be printed and will receive a text message or email when their item is ready for pickup.

Exploring the virtual world of tennis, Polo Ralph Lauren will offer a bespoke gaming concept ‘Boldly US Open’ in celebration of this year’s tournament. Users can select a ball boy or ball girl to sprint down an endless tennis court with various obstructions to contend with, from umpire chairs, to players benches.  The goal - to collect as many balls as possible before being defeated by one of the many tennis-inspired obstacles. ‘Boldly US Open’ is available through Ralphlauren.com and a sponsored social campaign on Snapchat. 

Polo Ralph Lauren has been the Official Outfitter of the US Open Tennis Championships since 2005, providing uniforms for all on-court officials and ballpersons as well as a US Open collection of men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and accessories. The full collection is available at the Polo Ralph Lauren shops and in the 1968 Club in The Overlook on-site at the US Open as well as online at RalphLauren.com for the duration of the tournament.
 

ABOUT DESIGN THE CHANGE

Design the Change, Ralph Lauren’s renewed strategy on global citizenship and sustainability, is both a commitment and a journey to accelerate the Company’s work across these areas. It is based on our belief that, together with our industry, we can deliver the change required to create a positive impact in society and a more sustainable future. Design the Change is focused on three areas: Creating Timeless Style, Protecting the Environment and Championing Better Lives and its foundation is 16 ambitious goals that will guide the Company’s work in citizenship and sustainability. Ralph Lauren has also signed onto the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), joining other companies across industries to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN goals. For more information visit our Company website.

 

ABOUT RALPH LAUREN

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, footwear & accessories, home, fragrances and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps and Club Monaco, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to https://corporate.ralphlauren.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Lindsay Knoll
Senior Director, Global Brand Communications
Lindsay.Knoll@ralphlauren.com