The Ralph Lauren Effect
How the brand’s return to the forefront is informing landscape design & even kitchen gardens
With each new client, a new mood board. A mode of deep research to complement instinct and experience. There’s a well of knowledge we have as designers, and then there’s the perspective you gain when you let culture and history sing a note.
When I started researching for what my client calls “Ralph Lauren meets southern luxury meets Hamptons,” I realized that there aren’t many actual exteriors to see when it comes to Ralph Lauren. Their brick-and-mortar stores and advertising both focus on interiors and clothing, though the brand has such visceral depth that it can transcend any boundary.
Whenever we aren’t playing with an established example, we’re searching for a feeling. Honestly, it’s always about a feeling, but whether or not you can tap into it quickly is a distinguishing factor.
We’re seeing the Ralph Lauren effect everywhere. It was front and center this Christmas, on the heels of a resurgence in fashion accompanying the phrase: “old money aesthetic”. I also just read that they had their first men’s fashion show in Milan in over 20 years, so perhaps it’s safe to say they’re BAAAACK. Culturally, we also have a western chic trend happening alongside the more niche coastal grandmother and fishermancore aesthetics.
There is a throughline in all of the above, and that is the feeling of establishment - the deep inner sense of discernment, generational wisdom and craftsmanship. Think legacy and heritage. There is a yearning for a sense of place and a sense of inner solidarity. Ralph is very this - very understated luxury and quiet countryside, but can still get dressed up for the opera.
I think we’re transitioning from cottagecore, prairie, frugal-chic (think Ballerina Farm) to this bucolic old money structure.
All the catchy terms are making my head spin, too, but I love observing how culture and fashion trickle down even to landscaping.
Below see some Ralph from the runway this year - see how it’s this fun mix of classic and daring, yet traditional.
As we observe this timeless re-emergence (this is not a trend, but a focus from the wider audience though there has been a steady demand regardless), I am seeing clients more drawn to this as well. So, let’s explore achieving this look and what the foundational elements are.
A Ralph Lauren Base
The basis for my current design is rooted in what I’d call ‘traditional’ landscape, as Ralph has this very traditional fashion take, with layers of cowboy and layers of luxury folded on top. Some bohemian moments and some utilitarian and preppy moments come in as well. But his clothes are designed to be worn, not just shown. Clean lines, familiar structure, and lots of layers.
Here’s the thing: Ralph Lauren isn’t typically reinventing anything or coming in with a garment that’s never been seen before. It’s more about how he layers the looks, uses color and texture, the quality of materials, and an overall unique mashup of a few styles to create one general … feeling.
On your estate, this will feel like a lot of classic choices (boxwoods, fountain grass, hydrangea) that set the tone. These are plants that do not stand out, except in that they create structure and movement, can be shaped uniquely, and can make a statement when layered upon. Imagine three boxwood balls surrounded by pink and orange wildflowers - sort of a wild mix. Seperately, they’re quite normal. Together, they make an unexpected splash.
Above is a great example of simple but well-structured landscaping. On the left: the hydrangea pops with a short boxwood hedge below. I see some stone and gravel detail on the ground. Then we have trees and a tall hedge. Classic green and white palette - nothing crazy, right? It’s a play on the shapes, the layers, the lines, and of course, the colors. Even the tone-on-tone greens matter.
Even though this is quite classic, to achieve a Ralph effect, I’d zoom out on the property and add some wispy grasses - perhaps a meadow of wilflowers or wheat. I’d start to complement this very tight and manicured moment with some wild and wayward areas that loosen up a bit. You see this same basic color palette on the right, but more casual and whimsical. This is how we mix high and low. I love pairing these concepts together on a property, as the mood of the estate changes with its specific purpose changing based on the utility of each space within the space.
The Kitchen Garden
Seeing as kitchen gardens are my area of expertise, I can’t ignore them. Again, it will be all about classic choices that are layered really well. It’s focusing on utility and elevating it. For a Ralph Lauren impact, I’d leave whimsy and cottagey out. We’d want the garden bones to be very utilitarian with the planting scheme to create some visual interest. I’d focus on wood or stone beds, maybe some metal or wood trellises, and certainly some great structure created with hedging and trees.
Vintage pots would come in to lighten the mood, much like a belt buckle on a silk dress.
Here we see espalier fruit, some stone planters, rosemary, tarragon, and some classic boxwoods. To the right: one of my favorite dress and belt moments in history.
The above design beautifully shows us clean lines, natural materials with the wood, stone, and grass, as well as a fresh take on color with grey beds. Nothing revolutionary is happening, yet it looks elite and so very intentional, yet unfussy.
The above photo, featuring the fruit cages (we’re currently building some of these for a client), is another example of a kitchen garden that is elevated by a unique use of natural materials that are anchored in commonplace mainstays like ivy and grass. A tiny pot on the doorstep creates character, and the warm and cool tones together give us some dimension.
What I find so cool is how timeless overlaps with trend and how brands can impact us so deeply. For better or worse, all choices are just that: choices. What we wear, how we build, the way we adorn any element of ourselves or our home - it is all a reflection of some inner world. Even on days we throw loungewear on, we’re making a statement.
As the world becomes a bit unpredictable, people seek quality and control. As the economy shakes, we want steady ground that will last. A sure thing, rooted in tradition and value, feels like the antidote for trying and untested times.
To buy my book, Kitchen Garden Living, go here.
To book a garden design consult, go here.
What a great read! Ralph Lauren is classic old New England style that morphs between seaside cottages, grand estates and every beautiful neighborhood throughout the region. It’s so good to see the classic understated elegance return in kitchen gardens too!
Absolutely loved reading how you translate design concept to landscape - always interesting to learn about other’s creative process, how they see & think about design esp a medium that is not talked about as much as other design mediums