Ralph Lauren Launches “Ask Ralph” Chatbot for Styling and Shopping Advice
Ralph Lauren, the iconic fashion brand, has taken a leap into the world of artificial intelligence with the launch of their new in-app chatbot, “Ask Ralph.” Developed in partnership with Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI platform, this conversational AI feature is now available on the Ralph Lauren app in the United States for both Apple and Android devices.
With just a few simple prompts, such as “What should I wear to a concert?” or “How can I style my navy-blue men’s blazer?”, the Ask Ralph bot can create curated looks and offer personalized styling tips. Using natural language processing, the bot can understand open-ended prompts, interpret context, and provide recommendations, just like an in-store stylist. Users can also refine their results based on their personal tastes.
David Lauren, Chief Branding and Innovation Officer and son of Ralph Lauren, shared his excitement about the launch, stating, “Twenty-five years ago, we partnered with Microsoft to launch one of the fashion industry’s first e-commerce platforms, and today, we are once again redefining the shopping experience for the next generation.” He added, “Ask Ralph is about more than just discovery – it is about engaging consumers with what they love most about Ralph Lauren: our iconic, unique take on style, providing timeless head-to-toe looks that inspire them to step into our world.”
The launch of Ask Ralph comes at a time when AI is becoming increasingly integrated into daily life. With popular chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and X’s Grok, companies are finding ways to tailor these services to their specific industries. In the fashion world, Business of Fashion has also launched their own AI chatbot, Brain of Fashion, in partnership with Quilt.AI.
However, there is still some uncertainty about how customers will respond to branded AI tools. While general chatbots have gained mass use, there is a risk that heritage brands like Ralph Lauren could lose their unique identity with increased automation. After all, the brand’s success is built on the designer’s charismatic personality, his Americana ethos, and focus on authenticity. But as AI technology continues to advance and become more human-like, the idea of an AI-powered Ralph Lauren chatbot doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
The company has plans to further develop Ask Ralph by adding new features, expanding to other brands, and launching in more global markets. So stay tuned to Hypbeast for the latest fashion industry insights and updates on this exciting new development.
