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POLO RALPH LAUREN FOR OAK BLUFFS
In Association With Morehouse and Spelman Colleges
THE STORY CONTINUES
For nearly 60 years, Ralph Lauren has aimed to capture the essence of American life and style with stories of family, heritage, joy, and optimism. This summer, working with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges for the second time, we travelled off-campus to Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, a coastal town nestled in a corner of Martha’s Vineyard. The story of Oak Bluffs reminds us of the power of community, the importance of tradition, and the enduring human need for places where we can truly be ourselves.
“This collection is about more than a charming coastal town; it’s a story of the American dream. 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 to be yourself, uncontrived, joyful, and truly at home.”
The Partnership
The Collection
The History
The Lifestyle
Our Support
Oak Bluffs has been a haven for Black communities, including alumni of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) like Morehouse and Spelman, for more than a century. In creating a collection inspired by this town, we celebrate not just Oak Bluffs as a place, but the spirit of community it represents – one that resonates with anyone who has ever sought a home away from home
“We made a concerted choice to be in Oak Bluffs because we knew we would be safe. This place nurtures from the heart, the soul, and the environment in a way that you’re able to build bonds with people.”
Dr. Cheryl Finley
Professor of Art History, Spelman College
Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs
A nod to the on-island style of longtime residents and holidaymakers alike who wear collegiate baseball caps with their swimwear and sandals, the collection blends coastal leisurewear with campus style through the lens of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges
Shop the Morehouse and Spelman Styles
The Morehouse College Cardigan
Coming Soon
The Morehouse College Polo Bear Jumper
Coming Soon
The Spelman College Drizzler Jacket
Coming Soon
The Spelman College Patchwork Cardigan
Coming Soon
The Morehouse College Ball Cap
The Morehouse College Polo Bear Jumper
The Spelman College Drizzler Jacket
The Spelman College Patchwork Cardigan
“HBCUs allow for people who have been pushed to the margins to feel centred. And at least for a moment during the summer months, we were able to feel that way in places like Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.”
Dr. David Wall Rice
Professor, Morehouse College
Seaside Haven
A small but remarkable town, Oak Bluffs has stood as a testament to the enduring spirit of community. Since the late 19th century, this enchanting coastal escape has been a place where Black professionals, artists, intellectuals, and HBCU students and alumni can come to embrace a life of leisure
Stories From the Porch
Many of the town’s iconic cottages, bought and passed down through generations, have remained in Black families for decades. Their elaborate decorative finishings and wraparound porches are the host of everything from lively summer gatherings – “five-to-sevens”– to quieter moments of respite
Shearer Cottage
Established by Charles and Henrietta Shearer in 1912, the pioneering 12-room inn catered to Black visitors who were unable to attain accommodation elsewhere on the island. Now a historical landmark, the cottage remains under the stewardship of Charles and Henrietta’s descendants
“Shearer Cottage became the hub for not only our family but the African American community in Martha’s Vineyard, and clothing was so important. Looking at pictures from the cottage, you realise how important. My grandfather always had a jacket or a waistcoat on. Even a three-piece suit.”
Lee Van Allen
Shearer Family Descendant
Easy Living
Oak Bluffs has its own distinct brand of summer sophistication, channelling a jubilant self-expression and the relaxed ease quintessential to seaside destinations
The Oak Bluffs Souvenir Jacket
An embroidered map on this limited-edition style showcases the island’s renowned landmarks, from the towns of Oak Bluffs to Aquinnah
The Oak Bluffs Fleece Crewneck
The Oak Bluffs Workwear Jacket
The Morehouse College Linen Blazer
The Spelman College Striped Jersey Tee
The Inkwell
What began as one of the few beaches where Black families could freely enjoy seaside leisure has evolved into a beloved community cornerstone
“We drove with my grandmother in one of those woody station wagons to the Vineyard and spent the whole summer. It was a haven for us. We would walk all the way down to the Inkwell, change into our bathing suits, and go to the beach all day long.”
Jocelyn Coleman Walton
Longtime Oak Bluffs Resident
“Some of my best memories with my grandfather were as a child on the Vineyard. There was so much valuable time spent on the front porch shouting at people on the Inkwell or throwing a ball around with my dad and his friends and their sons.”
Shelley Stewart III
Longtime Oak Bluffs Visitor
Five-to-Sevens
This tradition is the heart of summer socialising on the island. Dressed up, both seasonal visitors and longtime residents gather on the porches and lawns for cocktails, cards, and conversation between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m.
“What you saw was the timelessness of beautiful clothes. Those clothes could be worn here in Oak Bluffs in the 1930s or in 2025.”
Dr. Andre Churchwell
Oak Bluffs Visitor
Our Support
Ralph Lauren is proud to partner with The Cottagers, Inc., a nonprofit organisation comprised of 100 Black female homeowners on Martha’s Vineyard, to support building restoration, cultural preservation, and other community resilience efforts on the island. We worked closely with members of The Cottagers, The Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail, The Martha’s Vineyard Museum, The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, and advisers at Morehouse and Spelman Colleges, among others, to source archival footage and historical knowledge – essential elements in telling the story of Oak Bluffs. In line with these efforts, Ralph Lauren is also pleased to continue its longstanding partnership with United Negro College Fund to support scholarships for students at HBCUs
“Our portrait of American style and our vision of the American dream would be incomplete without Black experiences like this.”
Design With Intent
The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection and campaign are part of Ralph Lauren’s Design With Intent programmes. Design With Intent is about making sure the products we create and the stories we tell are authentic expressions of heritage and reflect the many facets of American life that are inspirational and aspirational to our brand. Discover our other Design With Intent efforts, including our Artist in Residence and Authentic Makers programmes
POLO RALPH LAUREN FOR OAK BLUFFS
The Playlist
