NEW YORK — Ralph Lauren sent out a powerful message on Thursday to his fellow Americans. Recession? Depression? Credit crunch? Get back to work!

“I believe in the resilient spirit of America — and I have always loved real working clothes,” said the designer backstage, wearing a pinstriped jacket over a denim shirt and torn jeans, a look that was emblematic of his show on the last day of New York Fashion Week.

The spring/summer 2010 collection at Ralph Lauren was based on denim, the real workwear stuff or its visual equivalent in silk charmeuse. Tough overalls and down-home jeans alternated with meadow-sweet cotton dresses, both outfits worn with denim caps. Continue Reading…

Ralph Lauren at the presentation of his spring/summer 2010 collection on Thursday in New York.