The US fashion designer and entrepreneur, son of Russian-Jewish emigrants, rose to become one of the most popular international designers in the 1970s and 1980s. Ralph Lauren celebrated his breakthrough with his college style from New England, in which he combined elements of classic college fashion from US universities with stylistic elements of the sport of polo, from which the name of his most popular fashion label “Polo Palph Lauren” (1967 ) revealed. From 1971, a small embroidered polo rider adorned the collection as an emblem. The focus was on sporty, elegant leisure fashion for men and women. In addition, Lauren also became well known as an interior designer, for which he transferred his typical style to interior design and combined it effectively with elements of the American country house. In doing so, he particularly appeals to the successful younger generation. His other brands include labels such as “Ralph Lauren Collection” or “Polo-Sport”…
Ralph Lauren was born on October 12, 1939 in the borough of The Bronx, New York City.
Lauren grew up in modest circumstances in New York City. His parents had emigrated to the USA as Ashkenazi Jews from Pinsk in Belarus. His father, Frank Lifschitz, was a facade painter by trade, and his mother, Frieda, was a housewife. He attended high school and went on to study economics without a degree. Lauren got his name at the age of 16; his two brothers also changed their surnames. From 1962 to 1964 he did his military service in the US Army. On December 20, 1964, he married Ricky Anne Low-Beer. Their sons Andrew and David were born in 1969 and 1971, and their daughter Dylan in 1974. Lauren got his start in fashion as a salesman in a fashion house, where he developed his own tie collection. He started his own business with borrowed starting capital of US$ 50,000 and in 1967 presented his first silk ties with friendly colors and patterns in his own shop that he opened for this purpose.
In 1968 he presented his first men’s collection under the “Polo Menswear & Co” brand, which was followed in 1971 by the other line “Polo Ralph Lauren”s Woman Wear”. From the same year, a small embroidered polo rider adorned the complete collection as an emblem, which already included shirts, trousers, blazers and coats for men and women. In addition, he created perfumes, wellness products and accessories to match his fashion. Among other things, he also produced leisurewear, sportswear and children’s fashion. Interior fittings will also soon be among the American designer’s offerings. Other collection lines were called “Polo Ralph Lauren”, “Polo Sport”, “Ralph Lauren Collection”, “RL Classic” and “Double RL”. His products with the neat look include coats, jackets, blazers, leather clothing, combination fashion, dresses and evening wear.
Lauren became less of a trendsetter among fashion designers, but rather followed the sporty sense of style of the Americans. Ralph Lauren’s leisurewear is based on the so-called college look of the Ivy League of Harvard, Yale and Princeton. This is rather inconspicuous, but represents a line of sporty elegance. Ralph Lauren’s “Polo” collection has become particularly well-known. It represents a casual but elegant line. A special target group are the yuppies, who are the preferred target group for the light blue/pink shirt with the polo player on the chest. The American flag on the chest of sweaters and sweatshirts also became typical of Lauren collections.
Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren has become one of the most well-known personalities in the fashion industry. In 1997, Lauren went public with his company. It ranks as the largest fashion public company in the United States. A major competitor on the market became the Tommy Hilfinger brand. To break away from this, Lauren acquired the Canadian chain store Club Monaco in 1999. In fiscal 1998/1999, Ralph Lauren increased sales by 17 percent to $1.73 billion. In 2010 he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour. In 2012, Forbes Magazine estimated Ralph Lauren’s net worth at $7.5 billion.
How to pronounce Ralph Lauren
He then answered the big question: “I would like to assure you that the way you are pronouncing his name is correct. As you put it, ‘LAUren,’ like a girl’s name. “This is the way he pronounces it along with everyone in his company and throughout the fashion world.
Does Ralph Lauren design club Monaco?
In 1999, Club Monaco moved to New York City when it was purchased by Ralph Lauren Corporation and continues to operate independently within the group. Since then, Club Monaco has expanded, opening locations throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.
How old is Ralph Lauren?
83 years
October 14, 1939
What inspired Ralph Lauren to become a fashion designer?
He found inspiration in the personal style of Hollywood icons such as Fred Astaire and Cary Grant. Due to his deep love of clothes, Lauren needed a job to fund his passion and thus, got a part-time job to fund his interest in fashion.