When I was quite young, I discovered the world of Ralph Lauren. My interest in aesthetics had been evident since I was a toddler and by the time I was 10 years-old I was poring over my grandmother's lifestyle magazines with a keen eye, observing and absorbing the print presentations of beautiful interiors and fashion spreads. Among my earliest fixations were the ad campaigns of Ralph Lauren. I didn't own a Ralph Lauren anything, nor was I aware at the time of the enormous influence the designer and his brand had over 1980s lifestyle and culture. I just knew that I loved the photographs of these natural-looking women dressed in clothing that was peculiarly modern, despite the very definite nods to a winsome American past. Its modernity resulted from its flagrant rejection of the sleek, neon trends of early '80s fashion. Wool knits and luxe tartans mixed with country lace and Navajo prints to create something keenly unique. Among the most frequently-used models in Ralph Lauren's early campaigns was Clotilde (née Kristin Holby of Oslow, Norway) and my memories of her composed and noble poses in these early Ralph Lauren ads are clear as ever. I've gathered some of her best moments from these early campaigns.
