Ralph Lauren Channels the Coastal Good Life with Its New Oak Bluffs Collection via Bizar
- Lacrystal Parker
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Story by Brooke Bobb
rl x oak bluffs© Courtesy of Ralph Lauren
Today, Polo Ralph Lauren released a new collaboration and accompanying campaign celebrating Oak Bluffs, a vacation enclave on the coast of Martha’s Vineyard known for its African-American roots. The brand has tapped alumni of historically Black colleges Morehouse and Spelman—with whom it has an ongoing partnership—to design a line of twill jackets, sailor-inspired knits, baseball hats, and more honoring the community. In addition, Ralph Lauren has also partnered with The Cottagers Inc., a nonprofit organization made up of 100 Black women homeowners on the Vineyard who are involved in local preservation efforts.
Overlooking the Nantucket Sound, Oak Bluffs began attracting freed slaves in the 18th century. Later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, their descendants and other Black Americans bought up property in the area. Leading up to the 1960s, Oak Bluffs was the only town on Martha’s Vineyard that welcomed Black visitors, as segregation laws prohibited Black tourists from staying at hotels or residences elsewhere on the island. During that time, many business owners, cultural pioneers, and politicians bought homes in Oak Bluffs, including Madame CJ Walker and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
In 2025, Oak Bluffs remains a draw for prominent Black Americans (the Obamas and Spike Lee are members of the community) and an ongoing symbol of Black excellence. Polo Ralph Lauren’s campaign for the collection, photographed by Nadine Ijewere, was cast with both models and Oak Bluffs locals. The label also tapped author, director, and producer Cole Brown—who has spent many summers in the town—to direct the campaign, as well as a documentary titled A Portrait of The American Dream: Oak Bluffs. The full-length film, which explores the rich history of the community, will be screened on August 8th at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
Today, Polo Ralph Lauren released a new collaboration and accompanying campaign celebrating Oak Bluffs, a vacation enclave on the coast of Martha’s Vineyard known for its African-American roots. The brand has tapped alumni of historically Black colleges Morehouse and Spelman—with whom it has an ongoing partnership—to design a line of twill jackets, sailor-inspired knits, baseball hats, and more honoring the community. In addition, Ralph Lauren has also partnered with The Cottagers Inc., a nonprofit organization made up of 100 Black women homeowners on the Vineyard who are involved in local preservation efforts.
rl x oak bluffs© Courtesy of Ralph Lauren
Overlooking the Nantucket Sound, Oak Bluffs began attracting freed slaves in the 18th century. Later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, their descendants and other Black Americans bought up property in the area. Leading up to the 1960s, Oak Bluffs was the only town on Martha’s Vineyard that welcomed Black visitors, as segregation laws prohibited Black tourists from staying at hotels or residences elsewhere on the island. During that time, many business owners, cultural pioneers, and politicians bought homes in Oak Bluffs, including Madame CJ Walker and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
In 2025, Oak Bluffs remains a draw for prominent Black Americans (the Obamas and Spike Lee are members of the community) and an ongoing symbol of Black excellence. Polo Ralph Lauren’s campaign for the collection, photographed by Nadine Ijewere, was cast with both models and Oak Bluffs locals. The label also tapped author, director, and producer Cole Brown—who has spent many summers in the town—to direct the campaign, as well as a documentary titled A Portrait of The American Dream: Oak Bluffs. The full-length film, which explores the rich history of the community, will be screened on August 8th at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
In a statement, Ralph Lauren’s Chief Branding and Innovation Officer David Lauren said, “Oak Bluffs is a quintessential portrait of the joy, hope, optimism, and sense of community that make up the foundation for the American dream.” He added, “This Black coastal haven, with its distinctive style and deep connections to Historically Black Colleges, exemplifies another meaningful chapter in our ongoing work to celebrate stories that define America.”
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