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When Fashion Thinks: How Ralph Lauren’s ‘Ask Ralph’ Brings AI Into the Boardroom

Man in blue shirt points at a tablet with fashion options in a clothing store. Background shows neatly arranged shirts. Mood is focused.

Ralph Lauren has officially made artificial intelligence part of its executive decision-making.


On October 14, 2025, CIO Dive confirmed that the company expanded Global Chief Digital Officer Naveen Seshadri’s role to include AI strategy, effectively giving AI a seat in the C-suite.


Seshadri, who joined 2024, has led Ralph Lauren’s digital commerce and data transformation. His expanded remit now reflects how seriously the luxury house treats AI’s potential to shape creativity, consumer experience and operations (Retail Tech Innovation Hub, 2025).


Inside Ask Ralph: The AI Stylist

In September 2025, Ralph Lauren introduced Ask Ralph – a conversational AI stylist built with Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI. Through natural language prompts, shoppers can ask for styling advice and instantly see curated, shoppable looks. 

“AI is transforming the way consumers get inspired, educated and purchase,

— Shelley Bransten, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Global Retail (ABC News, 2025)


Chief Branding Officer David Lauren added that this collaboration “redefines the shopping experience for the next generation.”


Early reviews from Business Insider described the feature as “luxe and exclusive,” noting its elegant tone but also the need for photo-based fit analysis and better personalization.


Data, Design and Decision-Making

At its September 2025 Investor Day, Ralph Lauren framed AI, data and analytics as key pillars of its “Next Great Chapter: Drive” strategy.

Global CMO Iris Langlois-Meurinne told investors that the brand has been “embracing agentic AI,” with data scientists “working hand-in-hand with creative teams” (CIO Dive, 2025).


This reflects a deeper shift, AI is not treated as a marketing add-on but as a creative and operational enabler, integrated from product design to customer experience.


Luxury’s AI Moment

Ralph Lauren’s move echoes a wider trend. Vogue Business reports that luxury groups like LVMH, Estée Lauder and Lululemon are institutionalizing AI leadership, either via new Chief AI Officers or expanded digital mandates.


For Ralph Lauren, the difference lies in control: its Ask Ralph system is trained on the brand’s own imagery and language, ensuring that its aesthetic remains unmistakably “Ralph.”


As AI gains influence in luxury fashion, success will depend on balance, using technology to enhance, not to replace, the brand’s creative soul.

“Using [technology] in a way to help enhance your vision is the key,”

— David Lauren, Wall Street Journal, 2025


By giving AI an official voice at the leadership table, Ralph Lauren signals a future where craftsmanship, culture and code work side by side.


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