2011 Spring New York Fashion Week: Ralph Lauren

Bear with us as we try to find the words to describe the raw and refined quality of Ralph Lauren's latest collection. Ready for a mouthful? It's Laura Ingalls's Little House on the Prairie meets wild West cowgirl meets Victorian lady. Everything from a cream linen work shirt with lace trim and an off-white leather fringed jacket to a champagne silk georgette long dress and a deerskin-beaded vest was game. Though the idea of mixing a traditional "Western" look with a high-neck ruffle collar seems ridiculous, somehow, it works here. We were digging the dual ode to classic American sportswear and to strait-laced Victorian London apparel. The honey silk charmeuse, platinum beaded lamé, and bronze metallic silk georgette evening dresses were breathtaking, and if a little fringe, lace, and ruffle combo isn't your thing, rest assured, Lauren presented great accessory basics: brown suede bowler hats, sand-coloured sandals with woven chain heels, and Navajo-inspired crossbody hobo bags. Yee-ha!

To see all of the pics from the Ralph Lauren show, read more