On Saturday, the commander-in-chief of America's clothing manufacturers met with the commander-in-chief after Ralph Lauren became the first fashion designer to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Wearing a tweed blazer, knit tie and fluffy dark sneakers, Lauren, 85, was described in the introduction as “classic yet creative, timeless yet innovative.” He was praised for “reminding us of our unique style as a nation of dreamers and doers.”
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by John F. Kennedy, is the nation's highest civilian honor. This award has been presented to many cultural, business, and political figures, including Babe Ruth, Mother Teresa, Julia Child, Warren Buffett, John McCain, and Rush Limbaugh.
If there's any fashion designer worthy of this award, it's Lauren. Mr. Lauren, a son of the Bronx, built his eponymous company into a multimillion-dollar company by promoting a preppy image to an upwardly mobile public. Almost half a century after its founding, he continues to serve as executive chairman and chief creative officer.
The fashion world, which has traditionally been largely absent from the event, also gathered in large numbers at the White House on Saturday. Joining Lauren, who accepted the golden medallion from President Biden, was Anna Wintour, a steely Brit (and longtime pro-democracy supporter) who has been editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988.
In her introduction, Ms. Wintour, who wore a shin-length plaid coat and held out the oversized sunglasses she always wore for the occasion, described fashion as “a mirror that reflects our culture.” was praised as such.
Other honorees on Saturday included Hillary Clinton, Bono, Jose Andres, Lionel Messi and George Soros.
His wife of 60 years, Ricky Lauren, and brother Jerry Lauren attended the ceremony, both dressed in sophisticated black suits. Lauren's three children, Andrew, David and Dylan, were also in attendance.
Mr. Loren, born in New York in 1939 to immigrant parents, entered the apparel market in the late 1960s with a line of men's ties that sold out of the showroom drawers of the Empire State Building. Soon, Lauren was marketing an ambitious prepwear brand that included everything from shoes to suits.
The rest is a nod to Mr. Lauren's fashion history, where he rode the brand's pony logo to the heavenly heights of American fashion. In a sense, he succeeded by perfecting the building blocks of the all-American look: blue jeans, polo shirts, white T-shirts, flannel, and work boots. Lauren told luxury magazine Robb Report in 2023: “I loved American things.” His brand's American flag sweaters are selling well, and that's with an exclamation point.
Lauren expanded her brand into glamorous homewares and came to personally embody the aspirational image promoted through her label's cinematic advertising campaigns. Lauren's properties include a garage full of cars and a large ranch in the Colorado Mountains. Filled with leather furniture, saddle blankets, and polished wood accents, Mr. Loren's frequently photographed home is a residential tableau that echoes his well-honed American look.
Through his brand, the designer was a patriotic cheerleader for many politicians, and if not a friend, then at least an acquaintance. His company has provided equipment to the U.S. Olympic team for decades, dressing athletes in all forms of sequined and striped sportswear. In 2022, at a time when there was a national exploration of racial inequality, Ralph Lauren launched silk wrap dresses and school uniforms at two historically black colleges in Atlanta, Morehouse College and Spelman College. They collaborated on a collection that included a boy blazer. These are dressy pieces that will subvert today's look. A college student who loves sweatpants.
Lauren's clothes have bipartisan appeal. Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama wore the brand's designs while in the White House. In 2017, Melania Trump wore a cashmere dress from the brand to her husband's swearing-in ceremony. Lauren's son, David, married George H.W. Bush's granddaughter, Lauren, in 2011.
Lauren's company appears to have special meaning to the Bidens. Mr. Biden wore a Ralph Lauren overcoat and suit at the 2021 inauguration, but Jill Biden, who is frequently photographed in the brand's designs (including Mr. Wintour's Vogue cover last year) ) was the marquee guest at Ralph Lauren's most important event. A recent runway show was held in the Hamptons in September.
