26 October 2026 |
Three days of collectors, celebrities, and superfans.
I can’t remember exactly when I first discovered Ralph Lauren, but growing up in London, the New Bond Street store was always a favorite place to visit. To the 14-year-old me, it represented the ultimate in style and luxury. I recall buying a wash bag when I was 16, with my own money and absolutely loving it. Then came Polo, the fragrance, followed by the bedsheets and a teddy bear towel. One of the oldest pieces in my closet is a pair of black strappy sandals. A gift from my sister when I was 18, I still wear them today. But perhaps most importantly, when I became an American I wore the brand for the ceremony — It felt necessary to have Ralph with me.
So, when I was heading to Tokyo for PoloFest, a three-day celebration of all things Ralph Lauren, you can imagine the excitement. And, as always, Ralph did not disappoint.
PoloFest took over Harajuku from October 23 to 25, with the sole purpose of bringing together collectors, vintage dealers, creatives, celebrities and devotees from around the world. Think Comic Con for the fashion set! The timing is not coincidental: 2026 marks 50 years of Ralph Lauren in Japan. Few countries have embraced the brand quite like Japan, where it has developed a following that goes far beyond just buying the clothes. The fans there take the world of Polo very seriously.
To me, this is what makes Polo so interesting. It isn’t just one look or type of customer. Equal parts Ivy League prep, English country dressing, rugged Americana, sportswear and streetwear, these archetypes live happily under the same roof. Very few brands have a world big enough to accommodate these different personalities without losing its identity. Walking into the room, you’re greeted with its history from the early days when it was founded in 1967 to subsequent iconic moments over the decades. Then you enter the fantasy world of Ralph Lauren and it feels like a kid walking into Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory or a hardcore raver going into Berghain — here is where you finally feel seen with all your peers and you get to indulge!
What I particularly loved was how the brand chose to celebrate its vintage community. Rather than simply looking back at its archive for inspiration, it invited the people who collect, trade, preserve and wear vintage Polo to be part of the story. And these fans did not come to play!. The energy around the opening night was a vibe, and you don’t need to be a collector yourself to appreciate the passion involved.
The vintage marketplace brought together specialists including The Polo Archive, Vintage Grace, Procell, Tartan Vintage and Tokyo’s own Chunk and Safari. There were rare finds, the stuff you probably wouldn’t come across in your average vintage shop, and reworked garments that showed off the ingenuity of Japanese artisans. For anyone who loves fashion with a bit of history, it was heaven. And for those who enjoy a good rummage, it was potentially dangerous for the credit card.
from left: Chandler Guttersen, Tez Saito, Kazutaka Yadomoto, Cosimo Ciampolini and Valentina Fiaschi, Julia Rabinowitsch, Jesse and Drew Heifetz, Jessica Gonsalves, Brian Procell, Richard Colligan, Albie Robert
Across the three days, a series of talks explored the people, style and subcultures that have helped shape the Polo universe. It was a clever way to give the festival some substance beyond shopping and celebrity appearances. The conversations brought together different perspectives on collecting and personal style. Fun stories included the tale about someone driving 6 hours to buy a hat, while another hunted down a rare Ralph Lauren dress for their wedding. Coincidentally, the person who sourced said gown was also at Polofest.
Naturally, there were plenty of celebrities too. André 3000, Janelle Monáe, Conan Gray, Tyson Beckford and TWICE’s Sana were among the guests, adding a little star power to the proceedings. But what struck me was that the collectors and enthusiasts felt just as important as the celebrities. So many brands talk about building community, usually while putting together a campaign designed to make it look as though they have one. Ralph Lauren has spent decades doing the opposite. It has created a world that people genuinely want to be part of, whether they’re wearing a vintage Polo shirt found on a trip to Tokyo or buying their first piece from the latest collection.
And how clever to celebrate that world in Japan, where the brand has been part of the cultural landscape for half a century. The Japanese have long had an incredible eye for American vintage, often understanding and appreciating the details of a garment in a way that borders on the obsessive, in the most complimentary way possible. They understand that a piece of clothing can be much more than something you wear.
Leaving Tokyo, I found a 1993 hat, in red with the bear seated and he came home with me. And if PoloFest proved anything, it’s that Ralph’s world is still a very good place to be.
from left: Janelle Monae, Andre 3000, Krystal Jung, Conan Gray
