There are a number of people in this world, who believe they can “walk on water” including some fashion designers. But Ralph Lauren can actually lay claim to having done so, if only because of the ground breaking new technology of water projections.
Last night, I, along with hundreds of guests attended a Ralph Lauren Polo for Women Spring 2015 “Fashion Event” in Central Park. (It would also serve as a celebration that marked the unveiling of a new lifestyle concept 38,000 square foot Polo flagship on Fifth Avenue). While we did not know what it would be, we basically knew it was not going to be a traditional show, and it was not.
We were asked to be at 72nd Street and Central Park West at 9 pm and when we arrived, we were checked in, given polo wristbands, and had a choice of walking on foot, or taking a golf cart to a grassy spot close to Cherry Hill Lake. Since the event was a Ralph Lauren event, one would expect it to be first class all the way and of course, it was. There was a string quintet playing classical music, waiters serving champagne, and snacks (lobster rolls and Ralph Lauren cheeseburgers). We were told to get as close to the water as possible and it was obvious something would happen in that spot. I saw Anna Wintour, Diane Von Furstenberg, Barry Diller, Steven Kolb, Amy Astley, Stan Herman, Constance White, Robin Givhan, Ralph and Ricky Lauren, etc. but suffice it to say visibility was not at peak level: it was pretty dark but for street lamps and polo t shirt clad men illuminating the way.
At about 9:15, to the strains of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly me to the Moon” (a favorite Ralph Lauren tune), the water began rising in what appeared to be a large moon, and low and behold, the holographic 4D “runway show” began. To be sure, it was pretty cool and there were great special effects, including one that made it appear as though the Brooklyn Bridge was right in front of your eyes. At the end, Ralph came out and took his traditional bow on water (or rather, it was made to look that way). In the meantime, those standing close to the water, got sprayed with the water (my hair and clothes were a bit damp). They should have warned guests to wear water proof clothes LOL. But the bigger problem was that one did not get a very clear picture of the clothes. Sure, you could get an overall idea of the line: colorful, young, eclectic, lots of fringe, etc. But at the end of the day, I still need to go on www.vogue.com to actually see what the spring 2015 collection is all about.
All I can say is that it was lucky that the weather cooperated. I can’t imagine how this event would have played out, had it been raining. But of course, when a designer like Ralph can ‘walk on water’, one would expect he has everything under control, and the power to make things go his way, no?
Fantastico!