The Holiday Activations Use AI Technology to Bring the Brand’s Iconic Polo Bear to Life Across Physical Stores
For this holiday season, Ralph Lauren is highlighting its iconic Polo Bear using an innovative format. This year, the much-loved bear will be brought to life as a 3D digital character. This interactive tableau will be displayed in the windows of the company’s flagship stores in New York, Chicago, London and Tokyo.
Created in conjunction with Cinimod, an innovation studio, the windows were six months in development. They utilize AI technology to make the bear appear lifelike and responsive, contributing to a unique window-shopping experience.
In the New York store, the Polo Bear, resplendent in a tuxedo, will be featured in an Art Deco-inspired Manhattan penthouse, complete with Central Park and city-skyline backdrops. The set also includes a Duke Bar Cart with Langley crystal martini glasses and Montgomery barware from Ralph Lauren’s home collection. The bear will interact with shoppers and passersby by waving, taking selfies, blowing kisses and dancing.
In the other cities, the Polo Bear will feature in the Polo Bear Gift Concierge, set in an environment with wood-paneled walls, mahogany shelving and polished brass finishes. In these vignettes, the bear takes on the role of a tailor, sewing finishing touches on ties as holiday gifts. It also engages in various activities such as sipping Ralph’s Coffee and waving to visitors.
This is not the first instance where Ralph Lauren has integrated innovation and emerging technologies. The company has a history of embracing online shopping, developing 3D holographic displays, immersive virtual store experiences, and dipping into the metaverse.
“Ralph Lauren has defined the shopping experience for nearly 60 years with immersive, cinematic retail environments and iconic window displays that have served as a canvas for decades of creative innovation,” stated David Lauren, chief branding and innovation officer. “The future of retail lies in crafting moments that spark the imagination of the next generation while building genuine, authentic and emotional connections. Reimagining our iconic Polo Bear as an interactive character creates a delightfully personal and thoroughly modern experience that will surprise and charm our customers, while also attracting new audiences to engage with the brand.”
The interactive window displays will be available for viewing starting this Friday.
