NEW YORK -- Ralph rules.

Not only did Ralph Lauren's fashion preview look fit for a king, thanks to the fanciest of fabrics including crocodile coats, broadtail fur pants and a gold mine of metallic silk velvets, but he even furnished his front row with a prince.

Prince Andrew, who gracefully sat through a flashbulb frenzy before the start of the show, viewed Lauren's array of opulence, which stayed the course toward classics.

The looks were typical Lauren, with simple cuts such as knee-length narrow skirts, fitted jackets and slim pants, updated with the season's nod to luxury materials.

The clothes were as easy to wear as a slinky black turtleneck, elongated and fashioned into a gown, or a narrow crewneck sweater dress that reached to the knee, over a white satin shirt.

Lauren mixed Donegal tweeds with velvets and leather, infused sweaters with flecks of gold or a marabou neckline, and added rich details such as jeweled buttons on jackets or gowns.

"Everything is very classic, but with a little twist," Lauren said.

One entrance-making look, which Lauren called a burgundy Persian velvet gown, suggested the pattern of a Persian carpet for a king, and tantalized with the surprise of a backless cut.

"This was all about Ralph doing Ralph," said Bloomingdale's vice president and fashion director Kal Ruttenstein. "It's all the shapes he's created through the years but refined for the year."

The year is looking good for Lauren. He announced the formation of Ralph Lauren Media, following a deal with NBC and two of its affiliates, which will offer Ralph Lauren merchandise to consumers through new media, starting with a web site.