Ralph Lauren Honors the Rich Heritage of HBCUs Morehouse and Spelman

This season, Ralph Lauren collaborates with Morehouse College and Spelman College to celebrate the rich history and influential style of North America’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through a limited-edition collection. The Polo Ralph Lauren Exclusively for Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection, inspired by the sartorial traditions of both schools, marks a historic moment for the brand.

With sharp tailoring and a collegiate aesthetic playing a key part in Ralph Lauren’s identity, the brand seeks to broaden its storytelling by detailing the lasting influence of HBCUs on style and fashion. Enlisting an all-Black cast, from creatives to talent, the limited-edition collection has been conceptualized and designed by Morehouse and Spelman alumni currently working at Ralph Lauren.

Delving into the school’s archives, the collection is inspired by the students’ style from the 1920s to 1950s and includes a range of vintage-flair outerwear, suits, footwear and accessories. Key pieces such as the white patchwork eyelet and silk wrap dress reference Spelman’s white attire ceremony, and the wool flannel jacket pays homage to the iconic Morehouse blazer. Speaking on the new collection, Ralph Lauren explains, “It’s so much more than a portrayal of a collegiate design sensibility. It’s about sharing a more complete and authentic portrait of American style and of the American dream — ensuring stories of Black life and experiences are embedded in the inspiration and aspiration of our brand.”

Accompanying the latest release, the luxury brand has launched a short film and commemorative yearbook documenting the historical significance of HBCUs. The compelling A Portrait of the American Dream visual aims to demonstrate how style continues to be used as a form of self-empowerment and a tool of resistance through archival and contemporary footage of the two iconic institutions.

Aligned with the company’s commitment to tackling racial inequality, the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation has also pledged $2 million USD to support scholarships for students at Morehouse College, Spelman College and 10 additional HBCUs through the United Negro College Fund as well as facilitating career pathways for Black talent in fashion.

You can watch the trailer for A Portrait of the American Dream above with the full film available on select Ralph Lauren social channels. The Polo Ralph Lauren Exclusively for Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection launched globally on March 29, 2022 on the brand’s website, select stores and the colleges’ campus bookstores.