LeBron James Closes Out Fashion Week at Ralph Lauren

Guests at the Ralph Lauren show Friday morning on Hudson Street may have felt like they were in the steamroom of a very expensive Uptown spa: Soothing World music, the stacked intimacy of just a few rows of seating, Moroccan-looking lamp hanging from the entrance to the runway, cream-colored cushions on the benches. Or maybe it was just the heat.

LeBron James, who hosted a charity event at the Polo Mansion earlier this week, sat beside David Lauren in the front row, joined by sleek-looking girlfriend Savannah Brinson. Mr. James occasionally shared a laugh with the younger Mr. Lauren as the khaki-licious collection breezed down the runway on turbaned models. (Mr. James sat in traditional jock-at-fashion-show posture with legs apart, leaning forward onto his knees, revealing purple socks).

The turban, which has seen rumblings of a revival this Fashion Week in shows by Marc Jacobs and Catherine Holstein, burst forth in full effect here, on the runway of this most American of designers. In fact, it veered in several instances into hospital-bandage territory. But the trance-like music offered welcome reprieve from a week of clamorous pop remixes, and there were plenty of pleasing silk dresses and structured safari jackets to distract us from the fact that we'd been staring at the same faces across the runway for seven days straight. (Anna Wintour offered a wide smile before making her trademark mad dash to the door).

"I'm thrilled," said Mr. Lauren's daughter, Dylan, after her father had strolled down the runway, greeting the family and photographer Bruce Weber before shaking hands with Mr. James. "It was elegant, very multi-cultural. I would definitely want to own a lot of those gowns and silk shirts." (Don't worry honey, you will!) She described the vibe as "sort of like Turkish meets India meets Africa all in one."

"I didn't go to all the shows, but I definitely attended parties, supporting friends, and it just stresses me out," she continued, of Fashion Week. "There's some different energy in the air during Fashion Week. Definitely more traffic, definitely people are stressed...it's that back to school, deadline thing."

Was she relieved it was over? "Oh my God, yes!"