Fashion designer Ralph Lauren, 86, has sparked concern among viewers after appearing frail and struggling to walk at his runway show in Manhattan on Wednesday.
The billionaire businessman stepped out at the conclusion of his New York Fashion Week presentation, where a now-viral video captured him waving to the audience while appearing to lean on an unseen object for support.
Dressed in white trousers, a New York bomber jacket and New Balance sneakers, Lauren stood at the start of the catwalk to acknowledge the crowd. Viewers observed that he appeared feeble and seemed to hold onto something out of frame to keep himself upright before taking a single small step forward and stopping.
His wife, Ricky Lauren, quickly walked over and placed her arm around him. She kissed him and remained by his side as he smiled at the cheering audience.
The event attracted numerous high-profile guests, including Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis, Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki and British actress Cynthia Erivo. The runway show was hosted in Manhattan, the central commercial borough of New York City and a key hub for the global fashion industry during its biannual fashion week showcase.
Fan Reactions to Catwalk Video
Footage of the designer quickly circulated across social media platforms, prompting fans around the world to voice worry regarding his health in the comments section.
One user commented, "He looks unwell," while another agreed, writing, "Love him above everything. He does not look very well." A third commenter expressed sympathy for the couple, noting, "Sad to see him like that but Ricki is the most beautiful woman and loving wife."
Other fans reflected on his long standing influence in the fashion industry. "It breaks my heart to see him get old but I feel fortunate that he’s been around my entire life and influenced us all," read one comment. Another viewer stated it was the "saddest thing to watch a vibrant man end up needing his wife to.. even stand [straight] let alone walk."
Additional comments questioned his physical condition and questioned whether he should continue making public appearances. "What’s wrong with him? Why can’t he walk?" asked one user. Another wrote, "Poor Ralph. Maybe don't push him out anymore. He's done so much for our world, I hate seeing him so frail."
Rise of the Ralph Lauren Brand
Lauren launched the Ralph Lauren Corporation in 1967, initially operating as a neckwear business selling men's ties. The enterprise expanded into tailored shirts in 1971 before releasing its line of Polo shirts a year later in 1972.
Recognized globally for its preppy American style, the apparel brand developed into one of the largest fashion houses in the world. The corporation built an expansive international presence spanning luxury menswear, womenswear, accessories and home furnishings.
Lauren stepped down as chief executive officer of the company in 2015. However, he has maintained an active role in the organization, continuing to serve as its executive chairman and chief creative officer.
Cancer Philanthropy and Health History
Throughout his career, Lauren has devoted significant effort to philanthropic causes, with a focus on cancer research, treatment and care. In 1989, he co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
The research institution was named in memory of Nina Hyde, a former fashion editor for The Washington Post who died of breast cancer. Georgetown University Hospital serves as a major academic medical and clinical facility in the United States capital.
Lauren continued to expand his charitable healthcare initiatives by building the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care in New York City in 2003. Located in the Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem, the facility provides specialized cancer screening and treatment services. In 2023, he established the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention at Georgetown University.
In a 2018 interview with Town & Country magazine, Lauren discussed his motives for establishing medical facilities, explaining that he had survived a brain tumor three decades earlier. "I had a brain tumor 30 years ago, and after that I saw my friend Nina Hyde of the Washington Post, who had breast cancer," Lauren told the publication. "She wanted to start a center for women with cancer, and I said I would help her."
He added that his work expanded following discussions with physicians at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. "Then I thought we could do more, and I went to Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and a very dedicated doctor said they really needed help in Harlem, and we built a cancer center there," Lauren said. "I’m not a doctor; I just wanted to do what I could to help. And I don’t think I’m finished."
