Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren founded his company in 1967 with the revolutionary vision that clothing should not merely cover the body, but should project an aspirational identity, a timeless, cohesive lifestyle that evoked the elegance of the American upper class and the rugged individualism of the American West, a philosophy that transformed a single tie manufacturer into a global luxury empire.

Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in the Bronx, New York, is an American fashion designer, philanthropist, and business executive who founded the Ralph Lauren Corporation. Growing up in a modest, one-bedroom apartment, Lauren was deeply influenced by the glamour of Hollywood movies and the sophisticated style of the American upper class, a world that felt entirely removed from his everyday reality. He legally changed his name from Lifshitz to Lauren at the age of 16, a decision that reflected his desire to shed his immigrant roots and adopt a name that sounded more distinguished and aligned with the aspirational identity he was constructing for himself. After serving briefly in the United States Army and studying business at Baruch College, Lauren entered the workforce in the highly competitive world of New York City apparel manufacturing, working as a sales clerk at Brooks Brothers and later as a salesman at Beau Brummell, a tie manufacturer. In 1967, he secured a $50,000 loan and launched his own tie business, naming the brand Polo, inspired by the sport of kings, a game that evoked images of wealth, leisure, and aristocratic elegance. The ties were an immediate, explosive success, leading to the launch of a full line of menswear in 1968 and women’s wear in 1971. Lauren’s designs were characterized by their natural shoulders, relaxed fit, and timeless elegance, a stark contrast to the tight, synthetic fashions of the era. He did not just design clothing; he created a complete, cohesive vision of a lifestyle, selling a fantasy, a dream of a life that was more beautiful, more exciting, and more sophisticated than the reality of the consumer. Today, Ralph Lauren is a billionaire philanthropist, renowned for his contributions to cancer research, education, and the preservation of American heritage, and his company remains one of the most valuable and respected luxury lifestyle brands in the world.