Ralph Lauren has launched a limited-edition collection honoring Oak Bluffs, the historic Black vacation community on Martha’s Vineyard. Designed by Morehouse and Spelman alumni, the Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs line blends coastal style with deep cultural roots and debuts alongside a documentary and community-centered campaign.
Ralph Lauren has unveiled a new limited-edition collection celebrating Black heritage and coastal American style. The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection pays tribute to Oak Bluffs, a historic Black vacation community on Martha’s Vineyard that has welcomed generations of Black families for more than a century.
The collection officially launches July 24, 2025, and is accompanied by a powerful multimedia campaign spotlighting the cultural legacy of Oak Bluffs and its enduring role in the Black American experience.
Blending classic coastal leisurewear with collegiate influences, the collection is designed by Morehouse and Spelman College alumni working within Ralph Lauren. It draws directly from their personal histories and memories of Oak Bluffs, pairing Ralph Lauren’s signature style with the stories and traditions of Black families who have called the island home.
“This collection is about more than a charming coastal town; it’s a story of the American dream,” said Ralph Lauren, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer. “Oak Bluffs’ unique history, traditions, and sense of community deeply inspire me and speak to what we are all searching for—a place where you can be free, uncontrived, joyful, and truly at home.”
Collection highlights include:
- A maroon-and-white satin varsity jacket embroidered with the Morehouse Maroon Tiger
- A patchwork cardigan featuring Spelman College’s Jaguar mascot and iconic campus details
- Striped polos, coastal knits, and heritage sweaters inspired by island traditions
- A quilted patchwork jacket and matching blanket capturing nautical elements of Oak Bluffs history
The campaign, photographed by Nadine Ijewere and filmed by Azariah Bjørvig, includes a short documentary, A Portrait of the American Dream: Oak Bluffs, directed in collaboration with author and filmmaker Cole Brown. The film debuts on YouTube on July 24, followed by a live screening and panel discussion on August 8 at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. The discussion will explore storytelling’s role in racial healing and community resilience, in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Ralph Lauren also partnered with several cultural institutions to shape the campaign and collection, including:
- The Cottagers, Inc.
- The Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail
- The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Morehouse College and Spelman College
In addition to ongoing support for HBCU scholarships through the United Negro College Fund, Ralph Lauren has pledged new funding to help The Cottagers, Inc. preserve their historic building on Martha’s Vineyard.
The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection is available while supplies last at RalphLauren.com, the Ralph Lauren App, select Ralph Lauren stores, and campus bookstores at Morehouse and Spelman Colleges.
What a beautiful collection.