First luxury lifestyle brand to offer smart apparel collection, to
be tested at the US Open
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2014-- Ralph Lauren Corp. is unveiling the high-performance, fashion-forward
Polo Tech shirt on opening day of the US Open. The Polo Tech shirt is an
innovative new product from a fashion brand that merges biometrics into
active lifestyle apparel, marking a revolution in advanced technology
designed to improve general wellness and increase personal fitness.
The Ralph Lauren Polo Tech shirt features sensors knitted into the core
of the product to read biological and physiological information. With
Ralph Lauren’s leadership in the design community, the compression shirt
also has a sleek look in black with a signature yellow Polo Player logo.
The second-skin fit enhances comfort and agility.
As the official outfitter of the two-week U.S. Tennis Association
tournament, Ralph Lauren is dressing several ball boys in the Polo Tech
Shirt during select matches at the Billie Jean National Tennis Center.
Marcos Giron, the No. 1 singles player in the Intercollegiate Tennis
Association, is playing in his first Grand Slam in Flushing, and he will
wear the Polo Tech shirt during his practices. He will track his
biometrics and making adjustments in real time to his play, form and
breathing.
“Ralph Lauren continues to be at the cutting edge of fashion and
culture,” said David Lauren, Executive Vice President of Global
Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications. “Our goal is to
create and reflect the ultimate lifestyle, and we believe that a healthy
and active life is an essential part of that. Ralph Lauren is excited to
help lead the industry in wearable technology in this ever-evolving,
modern world.”
David Brewer, US Open Tournament Director, said there are features in
the Polo Tech shirt that can “revolutionize how players train and
compete.”
“The fact that Ralph Lauren chose the US Open as the venue to unveil its
Polo Tech shirt enhances our tradition as a showcase for innovation,”
said Brewer.
Beyond elite athletes, however, David Lauren also sees a place for the
Polo Tech shirt in everyday life. “Our vision is that this will
transcend sports to help us at every age and in every aspect of life.
Reaching far beyond just the needs of elite athletes, Polo Tech will
offer innovative technology for all ages and lifestyles to promote
general wellness and quality of life.”
The Ralph Lauren Polo Tech shirt was developed with proprietary
technology from Canadian-based OMsignal, whose team includes experts in
neuroscience, sports medicine and engineering. With OMsignal, the shirt
itself is the sensor. The OM platform delivers a wide variety of
physiological data through seamless apparel directly to the users via an
app on their smartphone.
“It was clear from our very first meeting that Ralph Lauren had clarity
of mind about the future of fashion tech,” said Stéphane Marceau, CEO of
OMsignal. “Its legendary Polo brand and unparalleled design and
merchandising capabilities make Ralph Lauren a natural partner to bring
smart clothing technology into everyday lives."
With OMsignal, the data collected by the shirt is stored by a “black
box,” which includes an accelerometer and gyroscope, which capture
movement and direction. That ”black box” transmits the data into the
cloud, where it is plugged into a number of algorithms that gauge
important performance-oriented biometrics, including heartbeat and
respiration, as well as some psychometrics, such as stress level and
energy output.
As Ralph Lauren further expands its high-tech presence, this Polo Tech
shirt represents the Company’s most recent initiative in the technology
realm. The launch follows other innovative platforms already established
such as the 4D Light Show, The Dog Walk – a unique digital collaboration
showcasing the Ralph Lauren Fall 2013 Accessories Collection in
collaboration with the ASPCA® and the RL Children’s Virtual Storybook.
The debut at the US Open marks the first time a global sporting event is
being used as a platform to launch a collection of wearable products.
Please find additional information, imagery and video footage at http://www.image.net/RLPoloTech.
ABOUT RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design,
marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four
categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 47
years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been
consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands
and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Polo
Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Black
Label, Blue Label, Lauren Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Ralph Lauren
Childrenswear, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Chaps and Club Monaco,
constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of
consumer brands. For more information, go to http://investor.ralphlauren.com.
ABOUT OMSIGNAL
OMsignal has developed a revolutionary bio-sensing clothing platform
with a line of clothing products that connect seamlessly with mobile
devices. OMsignal innovative garments are designed for performance and
fitness as well as for everyday wear, and to compliment life without
getting in the way of daily life. Based in Montreal, Canada, OMsignal is
backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Real Ventures, Golden Venture
Partners, Mistral Venture Partners, Flextronics, David Cohen and Primera
Capital.
Source: Ralph Lauren Corporation
PRESS:
Ralph Lauren Corporation
Ryan
Lally, 212-318-7116
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Ryan.Lally@RalphLauren.com
