So many creatives that I still work with today refer to their time at Ralph Lauren as “RL University.” And for good reason. It was less a job and more a masterclass — in vision, taste, storytelling, and how to make the ordinary feel cinematic.
It’s a film. It’s a narrative. It’s a story. Do it once and do it right. Then find smart takedown opportunities that extend the story in ways that are achievable from a budget and time-management perspective. The goal: show relevance, maintain newness, and protect quality.
Practically speaking: hire the right photographer. Invest in the stylist. Travel for the set that perfectly tells the story. It’s better to do this infrequently and exceptionally than to spend time and money more often on cheaper, less impactful shoots.
This lesson comes to mind daily:
Planning a party? Every detail should ladder up to creating a feeling.
Think outside of 4 walls… why not set the table in the middle of a field. Dangle lanterns from the tree… layer on a romantic tablecloth. It’s memorable. It’s special. When winter comes, you’ll wish you did it.
When styling a vignette, imagine the character who lives there. What are they drinking? Do they wear glasses? Did they just come in from checking the chickens or gathering herbs from the garden? Create the shot as if they’ve just stepped out of it.
Always share a moodboard with swipe photography, a shot list, and a call sheet before every shoot, no matter how small, and always have a pre-shoot call to review everything together.
Social media demands constant newness, so test and learn. If you discover an emerging content creator whose work resonates, send them product and see what they capture. You might be surprised by how a fresh perspective can reframe your product and introduce new customers.
Skip a post if it’s not right. Quality over quantity, always.
At the end of the day, highly produced content is foundational — but it’s the behind-the-scenes that drives interest. Peel back the curtain to tell the story behind the story, but never at the expense of your brand’s integrity or tone.
And on writing: pen a few sentences, then see how you can say it in one.
The below are a few of my favorite, oh-so iconic Ralph Lauren ads from over the years…
Images from Ralph Lauren ads & Ralph Lauren: A Way of Living
Stay true to your vision, regardless of what’s in style.
Ralph Lauren’s personal homes are extraordinary, and he’s not redecorating them every time a trend shifts. Surround yourself with what brings you joy, and add pieces only when you truly love them. Buy what speaks to you, not what’s “in.” Your home should feel like you, not like the latest issue of Milieu or Cabana, “just because.”
I was recently on a shoot for one of our Tonnessen Studio clients in Martha’s Vineyard and fell in love with one of the homes we were filming. It was beautiful, yes (our client is the architect), but what made me fall in love with it was the movie they created, together with the homeowners. Shells drying on the window sill, cutting boards stacked in the kitchen, fresh eggs from the farm stand down the road left out in the carton. These weren’t expensive or beautiful things on their own, but put together in a storied way created a narrative that inspires.
Tweed and delicious layers aren’t always in vogue — especially in a fast-fashion world where trends shift weekly — but Ralph Lauren never compromised his brand DNA. I remember people saying to me at one point, “Well, working at Ralph Lauren isn’t really working in fashion…” when the brand’s direction didn’t match the trends of the moment. My response was always: “It’s a lifestyle brand. It’s fashion, home, a way of living.” That commitment to authenticity is exactly why it endures.
The takeaway: Stick to what you love. Don’t furnish your home or fill your closet based on trends. Find your voice, refine it, and invest in it. Build your own lifestyle narrative, one selection at a time.
Ralph’s personal homes…
Images from Ralph Lauren: A Way of Living
Surround yourself with people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests — and pay attention to what emerging generations are drawn to. The older you get, the more you need younger team members who bring freshness and cultural awareness.
Hire the best photographer, stylist, videographer, or designer you can — and then let them do their job. You hired them for their eye, not for yours to override theirs. Trust their expertise and give them room to shine.
Some of my go-to notes learned from RL include…
Unexpected is interesting: a tuxedo with jeans, a gown with a leather bomber.
There’s no such thing as wearing something too much. Your favorite flannel is part of your story. (I always think of Ralph in the Hamptons, still wearing the same effortless flannel he wore decades ago… pictured below.)
Look back to move forward: for example, the design team studies real vintage military jackets before designing new ones. The past is a powerful reference point for reinvention.
A tuxedo for women? Always, yes.
Pair a blazer, cropped jacket, or cape with a gown for formal occasions.
Neck scarves inspired by menswear instantly elevate a look — especially with a crewneck sweater.
England and Scotland do menswear SO well. I stock up for Bobby when we’re over there.
The magic is in the mix: vintage paired with new makes a look feel personal and storied.
When in doubt: monochrome. Camel, cream, olive, navy, black. Head-to-toe tonal dressing is easy and feels right.
A perfectly tailored pant is your secret weapon — with a blazer, yes; with a t-shirt and sneakers, also yes.
A tweed blazer (sleeves pushed up) with a t-shirt, jeans and loafers are ingredients for a classic.
Images owned by Ralph Lauren
Top takeaways include…
A layered bookcase tells a story. Mix art, framed photos, books, and vases that bring you joy.
An American flag in a vintage frame feels nostalgic and adds wonderful layers.
Hurricanes for all types of candles, especially candlesticks, and the more the better.
Make sure the TV is not the focus of the room and creatively incorporated it in other ways, like on art easels (so excited to see Alfredo Paredes, the prior Chief Creative Officer of Ralph Lauren Home, Stores and Restaurants, is coming out with a line specifically for this after incorporating it in many of his designs at Ralph Lauren and beyond).
Keep scent consistent throughout your home so it feels familiar when guests return.
Set a playlist and allow guests to bounce from one room to the next and outdoors without interruption.
I have yet to meet someone that can pass up on a handful of M&Ms. Far too many of my back-to-back meeting filled days left me with M&Ms for lunch. The story goes that the original polo shirt colors were inspired by M&Ms: blue, yellow, green, red, brown, orange. And from there, the rainbow spread. I keep a silver bowl full in our entryway now: 1) no one can resist them, 2) they’re excellent for bribing toddlers, and 3) they remind me of how a creatively simple foundation can blossom into something so special.
Serve burgers and fries — but on a silver tray. The juxtaposition makes it. And as Ina Garden says, “Food is not about impressing people. It’s about making them feel comfortable.”
For the love of good hosting, pour orange juice into a pitcher. Please, no bringing the carton to the table.
Discover my tried & true Ralph Lauren Home favorites below and shop here…
When thinking about my own personal brand — how I dress, decorate, and create — I used to worry that I loved too many opposing things. I’m a horse girl through and through. I love English equestrian as much as I love Western style. I adore the New England coastal, English countryside aesthetic as much as I love the colorful, preppy spirit of Bermuda with its century-old crests, and the rugged warmth of skiing on a snowy mountain getaway.
I learned that Ralph created worlds. His homes — the beach house, the ranch, the New England country estate, the New York penthouse, the island retreat — grew out of these sensibilities, each distinct, yet unmistakably him. Proof that a personal brand can hold multitudes and still feel unified.
Travel everywhere you can. Absorb what you love. Layer it into your world. That’s how you create a personal brand that feels both lived-in and entirely your own.
When you talk about consider changing the space - I've always wanted to do a Thanksgiving dinner outside. That's a goal!!
living for these tips !!!