Polo Ralph Lauren Honors Oak Bluffs with New Limited-Edition Collection
Celebrating a Historic Coastal Community
Ralph Lauren has unveiled a powerful tribute to one of America’s most cherished Black coastal communities with the launch of the Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection. This new limited-edition line and accompanying campaign are rooted in the cultural and historical richness of Oak Bluffs, a picturesque town located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
For over a century, Oak Bluffs has been a summertime sanctuary for generations of Black families. Known for its charming gingerbread cottages, scenic beaches, and deep cultural roots, the town has long served as a gathering place for community, reflection, and celebration. With this new collection, Ralph Lauren shines a spotlight on the unique history and enduring legacy of Oak Bluffs while connecting it to broader American themes of identity, heritage, and style.
A Continuation of a Collegiate Legacy
This launch is also a natural extension of Ralph Lauren’s ongoing relationship with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges, two of the most prestigious historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The brand previously collaborated with the schools in 2022, creating a first-of-its-kind collection designed by alumni and rooted in the history and style of HBCU culture.
With the Oak Bluffs collection, that partnership moves beyond the campus gates and into the wider world, weaving elements of Morehouse and Spelman’s collegiate identity into a line that captures the laid-back elegance of coastal living. The result is a fusion of academia and leisure, tradition and trend—a true reflection of both HBCU pride and Vineyard ease.
Designing with Cultural Intent
The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection is part of the company’s broader Design with Intent initiative, which focuses on creating fashion that authentically represents and celebrates diverse cultural narratives. As Ralph Lauren continues to explore and honor the many facets of American identity, the Oak Bluffs collection stands out as a thoughtful homage to a Black community that has quietly shaped American leisure culture for decades.
From the American West to the prep schools of the East Coast, Ralph Lauren has built its legacy by telling stories of family, aspiration, and belonging. Now, Oak Bluffs joins that rich tapestry—a reminder that Black American life and joy are fundamental to the American experience.
A Coastal Take on Classic Americana
Drawing inspiration from summers on the island, the collection blends nautical-inspired leisurewear with the classic preppy style that has long defined the Polo brand. The pieces are designed by Morehouse and Spelman alumni working at Ralph Lauren, bringing an insider’s perspective to the storytelling. The result is an authentic, lived-in look that reflects the community’s unique aesthetic.
Garments include sun-faded knits, heirloom-quality sweaters, sailing jackets, and crisp accessories that pay tribute to the traditions of both Oak Bluffs and HBCU fashion. A maroon-and-white satin varsity jacket proudly displays Morehouse’s Maroon Tiger mascot, while a patchwork cardigan features Spelman’s Jaguar alongside historic campus symbols. These pieces effortlessly transition from campus life to coastal evenings, reflecting the wardrobe of Oak Bluffs’ multigenerational vacationers and longtime residents.
Nostalgia in the Details
Subtle design cues connect the clothing to the Oak Bluffs experience. Twill jackets feature embroidered island scenes; striped rugby shirts nod to porch socials and beachside bike rides; sport caps in navy, red, and white channel both school spirit and maritime heritage. One of the most striking pieces is a quilted patchwork jacket with matching blanket—a visual map of the island, with fabric patches symbolizing local traditions, seafaring motifs, and beloved landmarks.
These garments aren’t just clothing—they’re vessels for storytelling. They invite wearers to step into the Oak Bluffs lifestyle, whether or not they’ve ever set foot on the island.
A Story Told Through Film and Photography
To further bring the collection to life, Ralph Lauren has partnered with acclaimed creatives to produce a multimedia campaign that blends fashion, history, and personal memory. Directed by author and filmmaker Cole Brown, a longtime Martha’s Vineyard summer resident, the campaign captures the spirit of Oak Bluffs in a way that is deeply personal and culturally resonant.
The visuals—photographed by Nadine Ijewere and filmed by Azariah Bjørvig—feature striking portraits set against historic Oak Bluffs locations. The same creative team worked on the award-winning Morehouse and Spelman collection campaign, adding a layer of continuity and credibility to the work.
Central to the campaign is a short documentary titled “A Portrait of the American Dream: Oak Bluffs,” which interweaves campaign footage, rare archival imagery, and personal narratives from residents, alumni, business owners, and local historians. The documentary provides not just fashion context, but cultural insight into how Oak Bluffs came to symbolize freedom, achievement, and joy for generations of Black Americans.
Documentary Premiere and Community Dialogue
The documentary will premiere globally on YouTube on July 24, 2025, offering audiences everywhere the chance to experience the story of Oak Bluffs. In partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a special screening will also be held at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 8, 2025, followed by a panel discussion focused on racial healing through narrative change.
These events further Ralph Lauren’s mission to not only create fashion, but to foster meaningful cultural conversations and support community healing through storytelling.
A Commitment to Community Preservation
True to its mission of cultural stewardship, Ralph Lauren has partnered with The Cottagers, Inc., a nonprofit organization made up of over 100 Black female homeowners on Martha’s Vineyard. This group has played a crucial role in preserving Oak Bluffs’ architectural and cultural heritage, and Ralph Lauren is supporting their ongoing efforts around historic restoration and community resilience.
In developing the Oak Bluffs collection and campaign, the company also worked closely with organizations such as The Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail, The Martha’s Vineyard Museum, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as faculty and advisors from Morehouse and Spelman. These partnerships ensured historical accuracy, cultural authenticity, and thoughtful representation throughout the campaign.
Fostering the Next Generation
The launch also continues Ralph Lauren’s support for education through its ongoing partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The company remains committed to providing scholarships for students at HBCUs and cultivating early talent pipelines through recruitment and mentorship initiatives.
As Ralph Lauren deepens its commitment to equity and representation, it ensures that Black voices are not just included in the story—but are leading it.
Availability and Access
The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection will be available starting July 24, 2025, on RalphLauren.com, the Ralph Lauren App, select Ralph Lauren stores, and at Morehouse and Spelman College Follett campus bookstores, while supplies last. As a limited-edition collection, demand is expected to be high.
Final Thoughts
With the Oak Bluffs collection, Ralph Lauren continues to redefine what it means to tell American stories through fashion. By shining a spotlight on a beloved Black coastal enclave and the vibrant traditions it embodies, the brand reminds us that American style is not monolithic—it’s a quilt of lived experiences, layered histories, and cultural pride.
In honoring Oak Bluffs, Ralph Lauren is doing more than launching a collection—it is preserving a legacy and inviting the world to see the American dream through a new, richly hued lens.
ABOUT RALPH LAUREN
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of luxury lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, footwear & accessories, home, fragrances and hospitality. For nearly 60 years, Ralph Lauren has sought to inspire the dream of a better life through authenticity and timeless style. Its reputation and distinctive image have been developed across a wide range of products, brands, distribution channels 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 and Chaps, among others – constitute one of the world’s most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, visit http://www.corporate.ralphlauren.com
