Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren
Name	Ralph Lauren
Caption	Ralph Lauren in 2014
Birth name	Ralph Lifshitz
Birth date	14 October 1939
Birth place	The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Education	DeWitt Clinton High School
Occupation	Fashion designer, business executive
Spouse	Ricky Lauren, 1964
Children	3, including Andrew Lauren and Dylan Lauren
Net worth	$6.6 billion (2024, Forbes)
Known for	Founding Ralph Lauren Corporation
Awards	CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive best known for founding the global Ralph Lauren Corporation, one of the world's leading lifestyle brands. Born in The Bronx, he built an empire that revolutionized American fashion by selling a cohesive vision of aspirational living, blending elements of British aristocracy, the American West, and preppy style. His career, spanning over five decades, has made him an iconic figure in the industry, recognized with numerous honors including the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award and France's Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur.

Early life and education

He was born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in The Bronx, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Belarus. His father, Frank, was a house painter, and the family lived in a crowded apartment in the Mosholu Parkway area. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School and, inspired by screen icons like Fred Astaire and Cary Grant, developed an early interest in clothing and style. After briefly studying business at Baruch College of the City University of New York, he served in the United States Army for two years before embarking on a career in fashion.

Career

He began his career in the mid-1960s working as a salesman for Brooks Brothers and later for a tie company. In 1967, with a $50,000 loan, he launched a line of wide neckties under the label "Polo," a name chosen to evoke a sense of WASP privilege and sporting tradition. The success of his ties led to a full menswear line, and in 1968, he opened his first dedicated boutique within the prestigious Bloomingdale's department store in Manhattan. His breakthrough came in 1974 when he dressed the male cast, including Robert Redford, in period attire for the film *The Great Gatsby*, cementing his reputation for nostalgic elegance. He introduced Polo womenswear in 1971 and became the first American designer to have a flagship store on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris.

Brand and products

The Ralph Lauren Corporation is a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange and encompasses a vast portfolio of sub-brands, each targeting different market segments. Core labels include the premium Purple Label, the classic Polo Ralph Lauren, and the rugged Double RL. The company's product range extends far beyond clothing to include home furnishings, fragrances like Polo, eyewear, and fine jewelry. The brand's aesthetic is globally recognized for its use of iconic symbols such as the polo player logo, oxford cloth shirts, and chino pants, selling an all-encompassing lifestyle seen in its meticulously designed Madison Avenue flagship stores and global advertising campaigns.

Philanthropy

He has been a significant philanthropist, primarily through the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. A major focus has been cancer care and research; in 2016, he donated $25 million to establish the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention in Harlem, in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His foundation also supports the Pink Pony Fund initiative for international cancer care. Other philanthropic endeavors include substantial donations to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the American Museum of Natural History, and the restoration of the Star-Spangled Banner at the Smithsonian Institution.

Personal life

He has been married to Ricky Lauren (née Anne Lowenstein), an author and photographer, since 1964. They have three children: Andrew Lauren, a film producer; David Lauren, the company's Chief Branding and Innovation Officer; and Dylan Lauren, founder of the Dylan's Candy Bar chain. The family maintains residences in New York City, a ranch in Telluride, Colorado, and a 17,000-acre estate on Long Island near Montauk. An avid automobile collector, his collection includes rare models from Bugatti, Ferrari, and Porsche.

Awards and recognition

His contributions to fashion and culture have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He is a multiple-time winner of awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), including the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award and the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award. In 2010, he was named a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur by the French government. Other honors include the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Key to the City of New York, and induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Category:American fashion designers Category:1939 births Category:Living people Category:Businesspeople from New York City