Was it a mirage, a miracle or technological wizardry that had a fashion show held in a shower of water over the lake in New York’s Central Park?

Standing on Cherry Hill, an invited audience waited for the Polo Ralph Lauren event that was staged to celebrate the opening of the brand’s first dedicated store on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

In a whorl of spray, the projection started, showing the sporty, colourful clothes on models who were apparently walking on water. Their ethereal presence made it difficult to see the clothes in detail. But the effect was mesmerising – not least when Ralph Lauren, an unmistakable figure with his silver hair, appeared in a cloud of droplets.

As I was standing next to the designer and his family, I was only partly convinced by this magic. But David Lauren, who had masterminded the 4D experience, received plaudits from the crowd. More dramatic projections of the Polo collection were offered to the public in Central Park for the following two nights.