The best and most star-studded moments from Ralph Lauren’s New York Fashion Week show

There is a silent flex in staging a fashion show on your own HQ – and Ralph Lauren Just reminded everyone, which is why his brand is still at the forefront of the American fashion story after more than five decades. For spring 2026, the designer abolished it all – no theater, no high backgrounds. Only white walls, cozy sofas and a cool staircase – an architectural orbit designed inside the brand’s Madison Avenue flagship to put the clothes first and let Legacy speak for itself.

The collection was a masterclass in tasty, skin-bailing silhouettes, simply cool fitting (like a polished white polo coat over a bra and pants) and expert tailoring with a red, white and black color palette. There were ballooned ankle-colored pants that moved like air, bustiers in a stretch leather and pops of flowers and stripes with a retro twist. (Taylor SwiftDo you take notes?)

Plus, Ralph’s signature borrowed-from the boys’ confidence that is carried all the time. The DNA brand pulsed through each look, especially in the final, where evening clothes arrived with relaxed elegance and eye -catching shimmer.

But it wasn’t just the clothes that stole the show. The audience was a constellation of icons (Oprah! Caretaker! Priyanka! Naomi!), Each with his own Ralph Lauren origin story to tell. And fortunately, people had a front row.

Read on for some of the best moments and interviews from the show.

1. Oprah Proselytized on Ralph Laurens Impact

When he was asked to describe Ralph in a word, Oprah, 71, who participated in the brand with best friend Gayle Kingreplied without hesitation.

“Timeless,” she told a pool of reporters at the exhibition. “He is the ultimate champion to raise life and lifestyle for people. That’s what I think he is always represented to me.”

She shared that her first splurge ever was on a set of Ralph Lauren towels that she even showed Barbara Walters during one of their first interviews together. She also holds the label at the top of the rotation in the wardrobe today.

“I still have red suede boots that I bought 20 years ago,” she shared. “I still have my Ralph Lauren Suede load pants -I love the load,” she said, leaving that she actually has “34 pairs” of RL load pants.

2. Mindy Kaling Credits Ralph for the American Dream

Wearing a striking metal suit with a belt wrap -blazer and looking completely at home in Ralph’s house, Mindy Kaling Shared how the brand shaped her immigrant family’s American dream.

“Polo Ralph Lauren to me means … The American dream you have done, especially for my dad,” she told people at the event. “He is an Indian immigrant. He almost only carries polo – and that’s something I really inherited from him.”

She also credited the 2019’s HBO documentary, Very ralphto help inform their own business knowledgeable.

“I learned so much from how he works with his family. He’s not just an icon – he’s one of the big American people.”

When it comes to her personal style, Kaling, 46, leans to more sophisticated neutral.

“My 30s were all pressure and chaos. Now I’m in monochrome and neutral – mature, maybe. But I’ll probably return to maximalism in two years.”

3. Usher arrived dripping in the emeralds

The musician, who has a long history with Ralph Lauren including his current role as the face of the brand’s new scent, Ralph’s Club New York Eau de ParfumWho celebrates NYC, told People that every RL collection “feels like history during creation.”

“It’s timeless fashion, elegance and inheritance everything in one,” he shared. “My son is obsessed with Polo. It always comes back. He wants to be what we were in the 90s.”

He also nodded to his wife Jennifer Goicoechea“Fantastic” appearance and debuted some new Helix Ear Piercings with mega-crater emerald törs.

“You like these emeralds? They are amazing … I know it’s very painful to get these things done, but sometimes you have to hurt to have.”

4. Big Hat Energy pulled down on the track

The exaggerated wide -broken sun hats definitely packed a little sartorial drama. In combination with elegant shirt dresses and accurately tailored, they add a “touch of romantic mystery” to the collection, according to the brand. And there is no doubt that they will be over the whole style in Capri next year.

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5. A-List United

Jessica Chastain chatted randomly with Laura Dern and Naomi Watts. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Was top coordinated chic in its appearance. Ariana Debose, Katherine Langford, Kaling and Usher joined the mix for a front row that had the star power of a Vanity Fair Oscars party.

The energy was relaxed, happy and festive. The perfect atmosphere to start newwh.

6. Ralph and Ricky take their last bow

After a standing ovation, Ralph Lauren took his last bow and united by his wife in 60+ years, Ricky Lauren. The audience rose up and for good reasons. This was not just the end of a show-it was a reminder of Ralph’s long-standing commitment to building a brand that is rooted in personal history, family and the type of fashion that never goes out of style.