Janelle Monáe Teleports to Old Hollywood for a Ralph Lauren Fashion Film

Janelle Monáe Teleports to Old Hollywood for a Ralph Lauren Fashion Film

Covid-19 may have put a damper on the fashion runways, but a pandemic sure didn’t stop Ralph Lauren from unveiling his Spring 2021 collection in grand style.

Mr. Lauren enlisted the help of his muse Janelle Monáe to deliver a captivating live performance at his Beverly Hills flagship store, captured by Southpaw Productions. The evening came to life as Ms. Monáe opened with Frank Sinatra’s “All or Nothing at All” and continued to electrify the room with a selection of many of her hit songs, which was streamed online within an immersive digital experience.

“When it comes to music, I consider myself a time traveler,” Ms. Monáe told Vogue. The performance, shot in black and white as a dreamy ode to Old Hollywood romantic films, dramatically highlights the timeless quality the star possesses, both in her enduring talent and her classic style. Just check out that tuxedo.

Led by director Mark Ritchie, Southpaw worked their time-traveling magic to transform the Ralph Lauren retail location into a glamorous speakeasy. Everything from the set design to the types of cameras, lenses and lighting used on set was thoughtfully considered to evoke a classic era look and feel.

“Ralph had a clear creative vision, and Janelle brought it to life with her remarkable stage presence and charisma,” said Mr. Ritchie. “It’s a dream job to be a part of that kind energy, to collaborate with these very talented people and to be trusted to capture it in black and white cinema.” Fitting a full-sized film crew into a retail store on Rodeo Drive while keeping the staff and talent safe and meeting strict SAG and DGA Covid-19 filming protocols was no walk in the park, but a close-knit collaboration and trust between the teams made it all possible.

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