Ralph Lauren is to hold a fashion show at Paris' iconic École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts marking the beginning of a two-year, multi-million-pound plan to give the fine arts school a total makeover.
The US heavyweight designer will showcase his spring/summer 2014 collection as usual during New York Fashion Week in September but the following month, on 8 October, he will fete his autumn/winter 2013 line at the picturesque setting in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Près. He will then host a gala dinner in the schools cobblestoned courtyard.
Lauren is a big fan of Paris. The city is home to his largest European store and a Ralph restaurant, and was the location for his vintage racing car exhibition in 2011.
The École des Beaux-Arts is a 300-year-old venue and fashion show favourite, but in need of significant restoration. The funds Ralph Lauren Corp provide will restore the semicircular lecture theatre, add seating to the amphitheater and bring the whole building into the 21st century by adding audio-visual equipment, reports WWD.
The schools website will also get a makeover, with online classes and workshops made available.
'It's exciting to come here and bring my style and my flair. Paris has been very receptive,' the designer has said of the city. 'I feel I'm an international brand today. It's been our goal to build an international business, with Paris and Europe. I have three stores in Paris now, and that won't be the last.'
