What began as a pink Polo Pony for Ralph Lauren, has grown into one of fashion’s longest-running charity campaigns.
This month, Ralph Lauren celebrates 25 years of the Pink Pony initiative—the brand’s effort championing cancer care and prevention. Since its 2000 debut, the pink-stitched Polo Pony has embodied Ralph Lauren’s belief that empathy and style are cut from the same cloth.
The company’s ties to the cancer cause run deep. In 1989, Ralph Lauren himself co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University, honoring his late friend and Washington Post fashion editor Nina Hyde. That early dedication to advocacy and equitable care laid the foundation for what would become one of fashion’s most enduring philanthropic movements.
For 2025, Ralph Lauren continues its “Live Well. Be Well.” theme, first introduced last year to encourage preventive health and mindful living. The campaign frames wellness as both a personal practice and a shared responsibility.
To mark the 25th anniversary, Ralph Lauren will donate 100% of the proceeds from its Pink Pony Cable-Knit Hoodie and Twill Ball Cap to a global network of cancer charities, and at least 25% of the proceeds from the rest of the collection. In the U.S., funds support the Pink Pony Fund of the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation, which advances screening, treatment, and navigation initiatives in cancer care nationwide.
This year’s collection infuses Pink Pony’s signature black-and-pink palette with a youthful, athletic spirit. The product range includes men’s, women’s, and children’s pieces—including fleece hoodies, jersey tees, insulated jackets, and, naturally, classic Polo shirts.
Beyond the collection itself, Ralph Lauren is rolling out community-driven experiences across the year—from in-store activations to integrations with its sports partnerships, including Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. Throughout October, Ralph’s Coffee locations worldwide will serve exclusive Pink Pony items, donating every dollar to the Pink Pony Fund or a local cancer organization. In New York, Beverly Hills, and Chicago, flagship facades will glow pink in tribute to the cause.
Long before cause-driven capsules became a fashion staple, Pink Pony set the standard. A quarter-century on, it remains proof that giving back isn’t a seasonal accessory—it’s stitched into the brand’s design.
Pink Pony available globally in select Ralph Lauren stores, on RalphLauren.com, at Macy’s, and in select international retailers.
All images courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
