For the Love of Lo: Ralph Lauren’s PoloFest Lands in Tokyo

What really counts as a classic? Phrases like iconic, legend, or G.O.A.T. (that’s “Greatest of All Time,” just to be clear for some) get thrown around in careless internet chatter or one-off social exchanges every time you open your feed — and I’ll be honest: I’m guilty of contributing to some of this discourse. Still, it’s one thing to say something meets this standard, and it’s another to see the standard be set and upheld in real time. Since the brand’s founding in 1967, Ralph Lauren has been doing in a way few other cultural forces can match, leaving the saying to today’s talking heads. Built on the vision of its mythical namesake founder, the heritage clothing brand has defined and remixed Americana styling for over half a century, creating a cohesive yet diverse visual language that spans everything from simple and sporty to elevated and aspirational. Highsnobiety, Highsnobiety, HighsnobietyComplementing every aesthetic profile, the RL universe knows no limits, expanding from its humble beginnings in a Midtown Manhattan desk drawer to the furthest points on the globe. To quote the man himself: “I’m not interested in designing clothes. I’m creating a world.” Landing in Tokyo, its second home outside American borders (I’ll leave this point for the aforementioned online debate), the brand celebrated its decorated history and global community with PoloFest, a three-day immersive exhibition blending clothes, conversation, and connection. Returning to the Japanese capital 50 years after first breaking ground, PoloFest recognizes Tokyo’s importance in Ralph Lauren lore and its ability to draw in members of the deeply devoted Polo faithful. To kick off the festivities, the brand gave a select group of VIPs, including Janelle Monáe, Conan Gray, and Olympic athletes Maia and Alex Shibutani, a preview of what was to come. The next day, the doors opened to the public, and the rest of the world experienced the Polo-inspired spectacle RL has been thoughtfully preparing. Inside the PoloFest grounds, Lo Heads, young and old, stepped into a Ralph Lauren wonderland, packed with archival references, never-before-seen pieces, and one-of-one art installations. Pushing past a Polo-ified noren curtain, attendees were immediately greeted by a recording of Mr. Lauren sharing thoughts and insights that illustrate the brand’s enduring ethos. As the message ended, the intimate corridor became a tangible exhibit that walked everyone through the Ralph Lauren brand's different eras and explorations. The museum portion featured small installations that showcased Polo's distinctive fundamentals and how they all seamlessly relate to one another. Highlighted by exclusive art pieces created by Japanese artisans Mitsugu Sasaki of Sasaki Yōhinten, Sashiko Gals, and Yui Narita of Brown Tabby Works, set to be raffled off with proceeds benefiting the brand's Pink Pony Foundation, this portion of the festival acted as a brief crash course in RL’s inimitable legacy. Passing under a beautiful wooden archway, the space opened onto the main floor, which doubled as a communal mingling area and an archival retail market. Collectors and connoisseurs from every corner of the world sifted through racks and rows of every genre of Polo — from Country to Sport to English Tweed and everything in between. Some pieces even came from the personal collections of well-known vendors like Thoroughbred New York, The Millennial Decorator, Procell, The Big Apple Store, and the heralded Safari, the Mecca for prized Polo garments in Japan. Highsnobiety, HighsnobietyRivaling the clothing on the floor was the clothing on the bodies of those lingering around PoloFest. Flexing vintage grails, coveted classics, and rare finds, each outfit reflected the brand's ability to live in unique, varied style contexts. A 1960s blazer juxtaposed with Olympic-themed athletic shorts. An iconic Polo Bear sweater matched with a good pair of RL denim. A cable-knit cardigan layered over a flowing floral-print skirt. A complex sartorial spread that exists under one unifying name. “Polo is an inspirational brand for a lot of folks. They’ve taken the vision of the brand and created their own stories,” shares PoloFest attendee Brandon Breaux. “You look around PoloFest, and you can see it. Everyone is wearing the brand, but everyone looks way different because they’ve embraced the brand in their own ways.” Highsnobiety, HighsnobietyTo bring these personal stories and authentic perspectives to life, the festival hosted a series of panel discussions over the three days featuring a variety of names from across the Polo spectrum. From collectors like Chandler Guttersen of Vintage Grace and Albie Robert of The Polo Archive to writers and menswear enthusiasts Jason Jules and Jake Woolf to brand icons like supermodel Tyson Beckford and rapper and Lo Lifes co-founder Thirstin Howl the 3rd, each panelist offered insight into their connection to the brand and the impact it has had on them. One thread emerged from these conversations: Ralph Lauren is no longer about clothing. Ralph Lauren is an energy and lifestyle embraced by anyone who resonates with its tenets. “To be a Lo Life, it takes time and passion. You can never put it down,” says Howl to Highsnobiety. Shortly after, Beckford, the first black model to work with the brand, noted: “Ralph and I had this synergy because we were always striving for greatness and wanted more than what we had.” Highsnobiety, Highsnobiety, HighsnobietyClosed out by a conversation with transformational musician and style figure André 3000, the inaugural PoloFest was nothing short of a significant cultural moment in time. On stage, the philosophical 3 Stacks spoke to the parallels between Lauren’s outlook and the avant-garde spirit of musical greats. “Ralph was a Rebel,” André positioned. “He wasn’t from that world that he ended up creating. Sometimes it's about going against what’s happening around you, and you find new stuff.” As the brand approaches its 60th anniversary at the top of the year, excitement and support are stronger than ever. With no shortage of horsepower (“horsepower, all this Polo on I got horsepower”), Ralph is moving full steam ahead, using the first iteration of PoloFest as a sentimental marker of where it's been and a useful reference to guide the brand forward into its next chapter.