RALPH LAUREN | Lessons from Ralph with Gigi Hadid

Before my first Ralph piece, I remember growing up and my mom wearing a lot of Ralph and having it and always being drawn to that world. Even in her closet, I was drawn to Ralph. I grew up wanting to model because I loved campaigns and imagery. That's what really took me, I think, into the Ralph world first, just all those campaigns that, now when I think back, flood my memory. And as I got older and wanted to model the polo campaigns and they were just a dream to look at. My first Ralph job, I was basically street casted for a web campaign. And I just remember being so happy to be welcomed into that world. I was 15 or 16 and I was so shy. I wasn't modeling full-time yet, so it was just a dream come true. And I still feel that way when I get to come to these shows and I see Ralph, I feel like that 15-year-old that just got to go to my first Ralph shoot a few miles from home. So it's wild and it just keeps being an honor to keep coming back. It was so surreal to be here for the 50th anniversary. That 50th anniversary show was so special and I think brought so many of those little worlds that I'd seen over the years kind of come together. It was a great journey through all the worlds of Ralph. Fall 2019, Ralph's Club show, that was so fun. I remember feeling so 007, it was just so memorable. I just loved walking into that room, being that character and I felt Ralph with me every step. The Ralph charm has to come with you. I think what's amazing about Ralph and when he puts you in something and he sends you into that set, you really are, you feel like a character in his film and the way that that makes you feel powerful and ready to walk in, wants it to feel like you know everyone, you love everyone and yeah, that's the energy. I was in the lineup, Ralph came up, I said, hi Ralph. He said, you look amazing. I said, thank you. He pointed down, he goes, take a chain. So if one of these chains goes missing, don't come for me because Ralph told me I could have a chain, take a chain. There's a lot of little styling duos that I think only Ralph could do but it works for people because I think a lot of people can relate or I can that like some days I wake up and feel more girly. Some days I wake up and feel more like a tomboy. Sometimes I wake up and feel more like a cowgirl. Sometimes I wake up and feel more like a businesswoman. I mean, Ralph can pull off anything because he's Ralph and it's like, again, it comes with the charm and if it's real to him, then it makes sense because he lives in very much in reality while still creating a world of so much amazingness.