Fashion icon Ralph Lauren, 86, drew concern from onlookers and fans during his New York Fashion Week show due to his visibly frail appearance as he walked the runway. The designer, who presented his latest collection on Wednesday in Manhattan to an audience including stars like Viola Davis and Elizabeth Debicki, appeared to struggle with his mobility when he emerged at the end of the event.

A widely shared video clip captured Lauren, dressed in a New York bomber jacket and sneakers, waving to the crowd. However, many viewers observed that he seemed unsteady and appeared to be holding onto something off-camera for support. He took a single step forward before stopping, at which point his wife, Ricky Lauren, came to his side and put her arm around him. She then kissed him and remained with him as he smiled at the applauding attendees.

Following the event, social media platforms were flooded with comments from concerned fans. "He looks unwell," one user wrote, with another agreeing, "Love him above everything. He does not look very well." Others expressed sadness at seeing the designer age, with one commenter noting, "It breaks my heart to see him get old but I feel fortunate that he’s been around my entire life and influenced us all."

At one point, he took one small step forward but stopped, as his wife, Ricky Lauren, rushed over and put her arm around him

Concerns were raised about his ability to walk, with one user asking, "What’s wrong with him? Why can’t he walk?" Another fan wrote, "Poor Ralph. Maybe don't push him out anymore. He's done so much for our world, I hate seeing him so frail."

Lauren established the Ralph Lauren Corporation in 1967, initially selling men's ties. The company expanded to include tailored shirts in 1971 and then Polo shirts in 1972. The brand became a global fashion powerhouse known for its preppy aesthetic.

Many viewers noticed that he looked feeble and seemed like he was holding onto something out of view to keep himself upright

While Lauren stepped down as CEO in 2015, he continues to serve as executive chairman and chief creative officer. Throughout his career, he has also been a significant figure in philanthropy, particularly in cancer research and care. He co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research in 1989 and established the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care in 2003 and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention in 2023.