Ralph Lauren, the celebrated American fashion designer, turns 85 years old on October 14.
Started With A Short-Sleeved Cotton Shirt
Renowned worldwide for the Ralph Lauren Corporation, he has built an impressive empire that spans luxury clothing, fragrances, and home furnishings.
Lauren is best known for creating the iconic Polo brand, which has become synonymous with American style.
Born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx, New York, in 1939 to Jewish immigrant parents from Belarus, he changed his last name at the age of 16 to avoid bullying at school.
Along with his brother, he adopted the surname Lauren, while one sibling, Lenny, chose to keep the original name. Lauren studied business for two years at Baruch College in Manhattan before serving a brief stint in the army and eventually joining Brooks Brothers, where he began to hone his design skills.
In 1967, Lauren ventured into the fashion world by designing neckties under the Polo name. His big break came in 1970 when he won the Coty Award for his men’s fashion creations.
In 1972, he launched a short-sleeve cotton shirt in 24 colors, which helped to redefine casual wear in America. Over the years, Lauren expanded his brand to include a luxury clothing line named Ralph Lauren Purple, a home collection known as Ralph Lauren Home, and a variety of fragrances.
First Flagship Stoe in 1984
Ralph Lauren has designed uniforms for the United States Olympic team and gained further fame for creating the costumes for the 1974 film "The Great Gatsby." The 1980s and 1990s saw rapid growth for the Polo brand as Lauren opened flagship stores in the United States and internationally.
His first flagship store, Rhinelander Mansion, opened in New York City in 1984.
In 2015, Lauren stepped down as CEO of the company bearing his name but remains its executive chairman and chief creative officer.
He has been honored numerous times, including receiving the Legion of Honor from French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2010. In 2012, Forbes estimated his net worth at $7 billion, placing him at number 191 on its list of the world’s richest individuals.
In addition to fashion, Lauren is well-known for his collection of rare automobiles, which ranges from 50 to 100 cars. His impressive collection has been showcased at prestigious venues, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 2005 and in Paris in 2011.
