Collection draws on Oak Bluffs’ legacy and HBCU roots.
Ralph Lauren has debuted a new limited-edition collection under its Polo label that pays tribute to Oak Bluffs, the historic Black community on Martha’s Vineyard. The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection continues the brand’s effort to reflect diverse American narratives, building on its 2022 partnership with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges.
The capsule celebrates the town’s legacy as a long-standing summer refuge for generations of Black families, professionals, and HBCU alumni. Designed in part by Morehouse and Spelman alumni now working at Ralph Lauren, the collection fuses coastal leisurewear with collegiate sensibilities—featuring sun-faded knits, heirloom varsity jackets, and maritime motifs inspired by Oak Bluffs’ porch socials and seaside traditions.
The campaign, directed by Cole Brown and photographed by Nadine Ijewere, includes a documentary titled A Portrait of the American Dream: Oak Bluffs, premiering July 24 on YouTube and later screening at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
The collection also reflects Ralph Lauren’s community investment, with proceeds supporting The Cottagers Inc.—a nonprofit of Black women homeowners—and continued scholarship programs through the United Negro College Fund. From patchwork cardigans bearing campus mascots to quilted jackets referencing the island’s nautical landmarks, the collection celebrates heritage not only in design, but in action.
