Ralph Lauren goes minimal for latest fashion show, with muted tones and a more intimate setting

NEW YORK (AP) — Ralph Lauren has been known for many a grand fashion show over the years: taking over Central Park for a sumptuous anniversary celebration, for example, or staging a runway show amid his eye-popping classic car collection.

But for his Fall/Holiday 2024 collection, he decided to go minimal — at least, minimal in Ralph Lauren terms. That meant an intimate show Monday night in a (relatively) small design studio at his New York City offices, inspired by his first women’s fashion show in 1972, where he displayed his wares to editors and friends in his own office.

In front of a typically starry front row that included actors Glenn Close, Jessica Chastain, Kerry Washington, Rebecca Hall and Jodie Turner-Smith, Lauren opened his show on a note of timelessness — his longtime ethos — with the appearance of muse and supermodel Christy Turlington, now 55, in a sleek beige wool coat.

What followed were a series of designs in soothing neutral tones: tans, browns, grays, black and metallics. The soft palette characterized both daytime garments like tailored jackets and sweaters with trousers, and evening wear like slinky, sequined gowns. There were roomy sweaters, lots of boots and wide leather belts with “RL” buckles.

There were Lauren’s familiar Western accents, like long fringes on coats and jacket sleeves. And especially the occasional cowboy hat, which accompanied not only casual ensembles but, to close out the show with a memorable look, a backless gown dress in sparkly gold.

Lauren, 84, appeared briefly at the end, in well-worn jeans, to cheers from the crowd, which also included Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Close wore a white Lauren pantsuit. “This is a very, very special suit," the actor said. “It was made especially for me. Custom. Five years ago. I won a SAG award in it. So here I am. It looks just as beautiful. It’s a shame to wear something like this only once.”

Close added that growing up in New England, “the mentality was, you buy something that has great quality and then you wear it until it wears out. That’s how I was brought up."

After the show, guests walked the few blocks down to Lauren’s Polo Bar restaurant, where the designer was again cheered when he made his entrance — before tucking into one of his restaurant’s signature burgers.

Lauren's son, David, an executive at the label, discussed the task of creating new designs each season. “You know, everything changes," he said. “You're always looking at new fabrics and you’re looking at new silhouettes, and you’re looking at new ways to bring the brand to life. But there is a philosophy. There is a style.”

With Wintour's Met Gala coming up in exactly a week, David Lauren was asked if the label would be dressing any stars. “Not this year," he said. "We’ve been so involved over the years, but this year we have a fashion show and we’re about to outfit team USA (for the Olympics in Paris) and do a men’s presentation in Milan. So our our plate is full.”

CORRECTS NAME OF THE PERSON ON THE RIGHT Lauren Bush Lauren, left, and Hannah Einbinder attend the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Glenn Close attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

South Korean actress and singer Krystal Jung attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Lauren Bush Lauren, left, and Carrie Coon attend the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Hong Kong actress and singer Charlene Choi attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Morgan Spector arrives at the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Lauren Bush Lauren, left, David Lauren and Jessica Chastain attend the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Models walk the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Ralph Lauren walks the runway at the conclusion of his Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Ralph Lauren walks the runway at the conclusion of his Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Models walk the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Models walk the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Models walk the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Models walk the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Carrie Coon attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Jessica Chastain attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Rebecca Hall arrives at the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Jessica Chastain attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Kerry Washington attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Jodie Turner-Smith arrives at the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Morgan Spector, left, and Rebecca Hall attend the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Nnamdi Asomugha, left, Kerry Washington, David Lauren and Lauren Bush Lauren attend the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Glenn Close attends the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Models walk the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Ralph Lauren gets a kiss from his wife Ricky Ann Lauren at the conclusion of his Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday 2024 presentation on Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Rep. Thomas Massie’s role in the failed bid to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson didn’t harm his standing with Republican voters in his Kentucky district, where he easily won his primary election on Tuesday in the conservative stronghold.

Massie far outdistanced challengers Eric Deters and Michael McGinnis to maintain his hold on the seat representing the 4th District, which stretches across northern Kentucky. With no Democratic opponent in the fall, Massie’s primary victory cleared his way to claim another term in November.

The libertarian-leaning congressman said his victory amounted to a “referendum on thousands of independent votes I have cast in Washington, D.C., on behalf of Kentucky’s 4th District.”

“I want to thank the voters for trusting me to represent them again, and I look forward to continuing our fight for personal liberty, economic freedom, fiscal responsibility and constitutionally limited government,” Massie said in a statement.

Elsewhere, the dean of Kentucky’s congressional delegation, Republican Rep. Hal Rogers, easily defeated three challengers in the 5th District covering eastern and parts of southern Kentucky. No Democrat is running for the seat. Rogers is a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which positions him to steer federal money back to his Appalachian district.

Rep. Morgan McGarvey, the state’s only Democratic congressman, coasted to victory over two opponents in the Louisville-area 3rd District. In November, he'll be challenged by Republican Mike Craven, who won his primary in the Democratic-leaning district.

Republican Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, will be opposed by Democrat Erin Marshall after both were unopposed in the 1st District primary. The Bluegrass State’s other congressmen — Republicans Brett Guthrie and Andy Barr — were unopposed in the primary.

Massie’s congressional race drew attention for his reputation of defying his party’s leaders — from then-President Donald Trump to the House speaker — without being punished by his constituents.

Massie aligned with fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in the recent attempt to remove Johnson from his post as speaker. Massie co-sponsored Greene’s ouster resolution, which was overwhelmingly rejected by their colleagues.

Before the primary, Massie sounded unconcerned about any blowback from voters for trying to remove the speaker — nicknamed “MAGA Mike Johnson” by Trump. The former president remains enormously popular in the district.

“It’s a lot of inside baseball and ultimately, because he’s still the speaker, I think a lot of people don’t care,” Massie said last week.

Four years ago, Massie drew Trump’s wrath when the congressman singlehandedly caused a delay in passing a massive COVID-19 relief package. Trump called the Kentuckian a “third rate Grandstander.”

An unapologetic Massie said he tried to hold up what he considered to be an unconstitutional vote for a wasteful bill. Massie deflected Trump’s jabs by joking he was at least “second rate” as a grandstander.

Despite the presidential smackdown, Massie cruised to reelection that year. Two years later, Massie picked up the former president’s endorsement on his way to another reelection victory.

“They still appreciate somebody who will come up here and vote the way he believes is best, even if it’s at odds with Trump sometimes,” Massie said of his constituents. “So that’s sort of my brand at this point.”

In another twist, Massie supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ failed bid for the White House, again risking Trump’s anger. The ex-president didn’t give an endorsement in Massie’s primary race this year.

Massie's challengers included Deters, a former gubernatorial candidate who played up his steadfast support for Trump and portrayed Massie as a “goofball” lacking accomplishments in Congress.

Since joining Congress in late 2012, Massie has been known as an avid deficit hawk and staunch gun-rights supporter. In a recent post on the social platform X, Massie wrote: “America is on a path that won’t end well. We are borrowing money at an unsustainable rate, accumulating enemies through endless war, and eroding rights like free speech & privacy.”

Kentucky’s most contentious campaign in the fall is likely to be over a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow taxpayer money to flow to private or charter schools. If it is ratified by voters, state lawmakers could then decide whether to support private or charter school education with public funds. The state's popular Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, will align with the Kentucky Education Association, a group representing tens of thousands of public school educators, in opposing the measure.

FILE - Committee Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., listens to the testimony of Attorney General Merrick Garland during House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies budget hearing on Capitol Hill, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Washington. Kentucky voters go to the polls for the primary election on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Republican Rep. Rogers, faced three primary election challengers in the 5th District, which covers eastern and parts of southern Kentucky. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)

FILE - Democrat Morgan McGarvey speaks to supporters in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, after the won the race for the state's 3rd Congressional District. Kentucky voters go to the polls for the primary election on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Rep. McGarvey, the state’s only Democratic congressman, has two opponents in the Louisville-area 3rd District. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

FILE - Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., speaks during a TV news interview at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Fresh off his role in a failed attempt to topple the House speaker, Republican Rep. Massie downplayed any political fallout back home in Kentucky as he looked to maintain his dominance in his solidly conservative district as Bluegrass State voters headed to the polls Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)