Dressing Purple Label Down

The Spring/Summer 2017 collection from Ralph Lauren Purple Label offers a departure from the usual suiting, presenting a lineup that exudes a quiet masculinity. Highlights include silk-linen suits with rich textures from garment dyeing, jacquard sweaters with Art Deco motifs, and embroidered flight jackets. The collection spans a range of looks, from refreshing all-blue ensembles and sophisticated grey series to military-inspired pieces in khaki and beige.

AKIRA, who regularly wears Ralph Lauren not only for official occasions like magazine shoots and photo books but also in his daily life, often opts for Purple Label suits for formal events such as stage greetings. Having loved vintage clothing since his school days, he enjoys mixing Purple Label items with vintage pieces or pairing them with Ralph Lauren's RRL denim. This time, we explore the new appeal of Purple Label through AKIRA's styling, incorporating casual styling techniques proposed by Tomoki Sukezane, our editor-in-chief.

“Purple Label might generally be perceived as a line that’s a bit out of reach. And rightly so, as it is the highest-tier line within Ralph Lauren’s extensive offerings. My impression was that it’s primarily selected by executives for formal or business occasions.”

“However, this season’s lineup surprised me with its abundance of military-inspired items reminiscent of the RRL aesthetic, making the collection more accessible and wearable overall. AKIRA also dresses down Purple Label in his personal life, so I wanted to highlight the casual side of Purple Label for this story. Incorporating AKIRA’s identity as a dancer, I aimed to create a dynamic and spirited fashion narrative.”

“Instead of formal wear, we’ve styled Ralph Lauren’s heritage pieces like button-down shirts and knit ties in a sporty, casual manner. I hope this serves as inspiration for those who haven’t yet tried Purple Label clothing.” (Tomoki Sukezane, Editor-in-Chief)