Ralph Lauren

>> After chatting with Ralph Lauren during the last season of her talk show earlier this year — "It took me 25 years to score an interview with [him]," Oprah Winfrey said of the designer — the two reunited for a sequel interview last night. The black-tie event, which raised more than $7 million for the Ralph Lauren Center For Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem and Lincoln Center For the Performing Arts, brought a crowd ranging from Anna Wintour to Naomi Watts to the entire Lauren clan.

Pre-interview, Lauren admitted: "I don't know what she's going to ask, but if I can't answer, I'm going to run." Prabal Gurung, in attendance, hoped that she would ask Lauren about his secrets to success: “I just want a few formulas that I can take back to the office.”

Without further ado, Winfrey introduced Lauren, saying “He designed the fabric of America as we really all know it today, but we’re here tonight because Ralph Lauren is more than just a tastemaker — he’s a lifesaver," before asking him about how he's maintained and reinvented his brand over so many years: "You copy — that's why I am still here, Oprah," he quipped, drawing laughter. More seriously, he added: “I never went to fashion school, I never had the training. It came from inside. I know what it’s like to yearn for something and not have the money to buy it." He also admitted: "After doing this all this time, my hands still get sweaty before a show."

>> New York Fashion Week has come to a close this season, but not without a little kick at the end. See Hanne Gaby Odiele flexing her muscles backstage at Calvin Klein while Julia Nobis makes faces with Suvi Koponen; and giggles go down amongst the '20s glamour at Ralph Lauren. More backstage snaps from those shows — and L'Wren Scott, too — in the slideshow.

Photo: Greg Kessler

Ralph Lauren's Spring 2012 collection was devoted to the 1920s a la The Great Gatsby. There was that louche sportiness via a double-breasted suit and drop-waist dresses, lots of beading and feathers, and the slim, sexy silhouettes favored by the Daisy Buchanans of the world. The full review is to come, but go through the slideshow to see all the looks right now, including the incredible eveningwear.

• Trends: '20s glamour, The Great Gatsby, sporty, florals, silk pants, suiting.
• Colors: pastels like seafoam green, pale pink, soft yellow; white.
• Key Piece: the eveningwear stood out as did the feather boleros and boas.
• Accessories: dangly pendant earrings, dapper hats, feather boas.
• Who Would Wear It: classic beauties who love vintage glamour, like Nicole Richie or Charlize Theron.

Make sure to check out all of our New York Fashion Week coverage!

>> This season, Ralph Lauren returned to classic Americana, trotting out a solid collection of '20s-tinged separates and eveningwear. In short, it was what a modern-day Daisy Buchanon would wear to a garden party. She'd have plenty of options to choose from — flowy crepe de chine trousers in peach and baby blue, chiffon skirts in sherbet-florals, and cashmere sweaters in daffodil and apple green.

For evening, there were high-shine gowns in panne velvet, slip-dresses with deco beading, and ostrich feather shrugs. Also, three-piece suits in ivory silk, complete with pink-satin ties. If all this sounds familiar, it should. After all, it was Ralph Lauren who designed the costumes for the 1974 film The Great Gatsby, and many of those knockout silhouettes were reprised here.

The US Open commenced last night, kicking off two weeks of serious competition and some of the most stylish outfits in sports. Thanks to stars like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, as well as tennis legends like Steffi Graf and Chris Evert, we have a slight obsession with awesome tennis gear. For more iconic style, check out our story on fashionable tennis legends. That crisp, clean look has served us so well on and off the court, we thought we'd share our picks for classic tennis gear.

Fall marks a new season and of course, a new wardrobe to go with it. We can't wait to start wearing jeans again, in addition to layering up in knits, tights, and toppers. So to help you fulfill the essentials, Ralph Lauren just debuted a new sportswear collection, dubbed Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, supplying you with denim basics, cozy sweaters, dresses, jackets, and accessories — all spun with a vintage-inspired twist. Our top 10 pieces, and why we love them, in the slideshow.