It was all modest romantic elegant at Ralph Lauren’s 2009-10 collection, His response to dark shady times was to let the light in, quite accurately. Yes, he opened with a little black dress revealed at Skylight Studio Friday morning, the last day of  New York Fashion Week. Opening with a suite of all-black evening looks - ruched and embroidered – the designer immediately established that, while the economy may be shaky, there’s no reason one can’t put on a brave and stylish face.

Ralph Lauren showed jodhpurs, with graceful velvet tops, and did a luxed-up evening version of riding britches in vintage-looking stone velvet, topped with a silk charmeuse blouse. Lauren had you believing that the whole thing is going to be just fine. And he toned down the beautification in a pair of plain bias
cut satin gowns that were the epitome of effortless glamour.