Ralph Lauren stitches textile history into latest Artist in Residence release

The fifth-edition collaboration showcases the work and traditions of textile artists from Wilcox County, Alabama, known for its multigenerational community of women quiltmakers. Image credit: Ralph Lauren

U.S. fashion label Ralph Lauren looked to the American South for the inspiration that fueled its most recent design collaboration.

This summer, the brand celebrated the launch of the fifth collection in its Artist in Residence program, which invites artisans to work directly with Ralph Lauren’s creative teams. Developed with textile artists Claudia Pettway Charley and Loretta Pettway Bennett, the limited-edition Ralph Lauren x Gee’s Bend range of apparel and home pieces reached North American customers on July 28 on RalphLauren.com, in the brand’s app, and at select stores, with a global release on July 30.

Pieced from tradition

For its latest Artist in Residence release, Ralph Lauren sourced talent from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, home to a community of Black artists whose quilting has been shaped by generations of practice.

Ms. Pettway Charley, one half of the Ralph Lauren x Gee’s Bend drop, is a fourth-generation textile artist known for her intuitive, improvisational approach to the medium.

Ms. Pettway Bennett, a fifth-generation artist, is recognized for graphic quilts that read as expressions of family and tradition.

Personal storytelling runs through the collection, from Ms. Pettway Bennett’s recurring red triangles, which represent her sons, to Ms. Pettway Charley’s use of color and composition.

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The collection highlights the Gee’s Bend style, with freeform lines, visible topstitching and worn materials repurposed into geometric works. Quilts and apparel are made from upcycled Ralph Lauren fabrics and hand-pieced.

Denim centers the range in a nod to the community’s tradition of working in durable workwear fabrics passed down through generations.

The collection also features homeware, including hand-painted ceramic tableware produced in Italy with Ralph Lauren Home artisans.

Five percent of the purchase price of every Ralph Lauren x Gee’s Bend item will go to Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative, supporting hunger relief for low-income families in the state.

Ralph Lauren began its Artist in Residence program with Diné/Navajo artist Naiomi Glasses in 2023. Subsequent participants have included Zefren-M, Jocy and Trae Little Sky of TÓPA ( see story ) and a second collaboration with Ms. Glasses and her brother Tyler.