A recovery heist, priceless artwork, a pigeon for an accomplice, and…the Polo Bear? While this James Bond-like mission sounds too good to be true, it’s not. The Polo Bear is actually going to be making its spy debut, and soon! On August 14, Ralph Lauren‘s animated short film, The Polo Bear Chronicles: Operation Black Tie, is set to stream on YouTube. Fashion fans and Polo Bear lovers alike have been sharing their excitement as they await the debut of the absolutely cute yet stylish short film.
All About The Polo Bear’s Recovery Mission
From Ralph Lauren‘s official YouTube trailer, the Polo Bear leaves his love for jazz and calm city life in Manhattan to complete a refined art recovery mission. With the help of a street-smart pigeon, The Polo Bear Chronicles: Operation Black Tie trailer showcases both a comical yet sophisticated look into the animated short film. The Polo Bear hops from helicopters in the desert to polo games, beach houses, and even galas. Throughout the short film, viewers get a glimpse of Ralph Lauren’s timeless eye for fashion, all while following an art recovery mission that rivals all classic spy missions. After decades of being on Ralph Lauren designs, the animated short film seems to be bringing the Polo Bear to life, both on screen as a mini-movie star and in fashion.
A Bit of Polo Bear History
Before he was pulling off art recoveries, the Polo Bear was first a known Ralph Lauren fashion icon. According to the Ralph Lauren Polo Shop website, the Polo Bear’s story actually started in 1902. Having been on a bear hunt in Mississippi, President Theodore Roosevelt refused to harm a bear. Per the website, the failed bear hunt resulted in plush bears being named after him. How had the Polo Bear come from this?
It All Started With a Gift
“As chance would have it, Jerry Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s brother, is a passionate collector of Steiff bears.” The inside story reads, “In 1990, Jerry’s colleagues had a Steiff bear dressed in Jerry’s likeness—blue oxford shirt, tartan tie, cable-knit sweater—and presented it to him for his birthday. At the same time, a Western-inspired bear was given to Ralph.”
Following Ralph Lauren’s gifted bear, inspiration struck, and the Polo Bear began to make its way into fashion history. As the website details, “…in 1991, the Polo Bear appeared in two very different forms. The first was an actual teddy bear (“Preppy Bear”), produced in tandem with Steiff. Massively popular, the limited run of 200 sold out in one weekend at the Madison Avenue flagship. The second iteration appeared as a graphic on everything from T-shirts and denim jackets to dress shirts and ties.”
The Polo Bear Takes Fashion by Storm
“The next year, a Polo Bear wearing an American flag sweater was hand-knit onto a Polo Ralph Lauren sweater, and over the next several years, the Polo Bear appeared in a series of national ad campaigns.” The Polo Bear Shop continues, “From Martini Bear to Safari Bear and a Purple Label debut to the app fan-favorite Collegiate Bear and the Polo Bear watch collection, created in celebration of Ralph Lauren’s 50th anniversary, the iconic character has remained a mainstay of the brand through the decades.”
Undeniably, Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bear has not only proven to be an iconic fashion symbol for the brand but also a piece of fashion design history. With the release of the Polo Bear’s chronicles, Ralph Lauren’s legacy takes a new turn, this time with a sophisticated yet cute blend of animated film. The trailer leaves fans wondering: what’s next in store with the Polo Bear?
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