Ralph Lauren Innovation
In 2020 I was selected to intern for David Lauren’s Innovation Team. The internship program was altered due to COVID-19, but I had the privilege of witnessing the team’s swift and compassionate response to innovation through the pandemic. I also learned more about their textile innovation work for the RL Heat Jacket Project and Team USA Olympic uniforms, which inspired the following independent design projects.
“UNTIL WE MEET IN TOKYO” SCARF
The historic postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was met with an outpour of viral social media posts. Olympians shared emotional photos as they committed to an additional year of training to achieve their dreams. As fear rose around the Coronavirus pandemic, attention shifted from national heroes to national healthcare. Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, told COVID workers, “you are our true champions.”
Silk scarves have been used to commemorate the Olympics since the first modern games in 1896. This design symbolizes how Olympians “handed the torch” to front-line workers, who carried it until 2021. Narrative and highly symbolic, “Until We Meet in Tokyo” honors a year of resilience, sacrifice, and unity.
As shown in the Crafting Change Exhibit at the Museum at FIT, which explores the potential for long-established textile techniques to promote connection, community, and well-being in a modern context.
