Ralph Lauren: a cut above the rest

Apart from the fact that they are celebrities, what do Brad Pitt, Hugh Dancy, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Phillipe and Hugh Jackman have in common?

The answer is they all wear suits from Ralph Lauren's Purple collection. Priced at Dh25,000, the suits are made from the finest materials and have figured in Forbes magazine's list of 'The most expensive suits in the world'.

"Ralph Lauren suits are crafted in the time-honoured spirit of Savile Row tailoring," Fabio Mancone, Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Communication and General Manager, Luxury, at Ralph Lauren told Emirates Business. "We use luxurious fabrics from top Scottish and English mills. Many of these fabrics are limited edition and exclusive to the brand.

"Our suits are meticulously created by specialised tailors. For example, a jacket can take up to 27 hours to make because it is assembled with extreme attention to detail."

In addition to the ready-to-wear clothing available in stores, there is a Purple Label Made to Measure collection for those who prefer the comfort and class of bespoke tailoring. It offers impeccably crafted suits in materials such as cashmere as well as dress shirts, trousers, topcoats, sport coats and formal wear.

"Our bespoke menswear is expertly tailored to meet high quality standards," said Mancone. "Influenced by European traditions and workmanship, our Made to Measure suiting is hand-tailored to the client's precise measurements. We give clients the opportunity to personalise their selections while keeping the sophisticated sensibility that is unmistakably Ralph Lauren."

The Made to Order collection, which can cost you anything upwards of Dh37,000 also offers clients dress furnishings and accessories from crocodile luggage and gold signet rings to bench-made footwear.

This collection was launched five years ago and is currently available only at selected big-city locations such as New York, Chicago, Dallas and, of course, Beverly Hills.

Ralph Lauren has personally appointed some of the world's most experienced artisans trained in the art of hand monogramming and engraving to work on the collection – another factor that has helped attract celebrity customers.

"Celebrities and their stylists often approach us when seeking a timeless and elegant style appropriate for high profile occasions," said Mancone. "We work to build a rapport with these special clients and frequently dress them for awards shows, events and other appearances worldwide," said Mancone.

A few weeks ago Lauren launched the Spring 2009 collection at Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. It was the first time the American designer showcased his collections during Men's Fashion Week in Paris.

So if you are planning to expand your wardrobe, then you might want to wait for this collection to hit the stores. Because whether it is the boardroom, the yacht club or that all-important business meeting, if it is sartorial elegance you seek then you can't go wrong with the classic cut of a Ralph Lauren suit.