From Runway to Screen: Ralph Lauren’s Style Guru Teams Up with Microsoft

Ralph Lauren introduces a new shopping experience. The U.S. company introduced in early September Ask Ralph, an application developed by Microsoft Azure OpenAI with advanced conversational artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology that simulates the conversation with a stylist in a physical store.

Consumers can interact with Ask Ralph as they would with a stylist in a branded store, through simple, conversational prompts, from “what should I wear to a concert?” to “how can I pair these two outfits?” The app responds with visual and complete looks, giving the option to adapt the recommendations to the user’s style.

The app uses advanced conversational artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology to understand overt cues, interpret context and provide personalized recommendations to mimic the experience of talking to a stylist.

Ralph Lauren ended fiscal 2024 with net income up 14.95% over the previous year

Ralph Lauren partnered with Microsoft twenty-five years ago “to launch one of the fashion industry’s first e-commerce platforms and today, it is once again redefining the shopping experience for the next generation,“ said David Lauren, chief brand and innovation officer for Ralph Lauren Corporation.s is redefining the shopping experience for the next generation,“ said David Lauren, chief brand and innovation officer for Ralph Lauren Corporation.

The new conversational shopping experience offers style inspiration through multiple visual designs of complete, customized outfits as prompted by the user based on the Polo brand’s virtual closet for men and women.“AI is transforming the way consumers are inspired, educated and buy from fashion brands around the world,“ said Shelley Bransten, corporate vice president of global industry solutions at Microsoft.

The U.S. fashion company ended last year with sales up nearly 7% and net income up nearly 15% after a strong fourth quarter. At year-end 2024, sales stood at $7.08 billion, an increase of 6.76% over the previous year. The company’s operating income, meanwhile, rose 23.23% to $932 million, while net income increased to $743 million, up 14.95% on 2023.