Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer, who grew up in the Bronx in New York City. After he finished high school, he took some business classes at a local night college, working in a sales position during the day. While he was working for a company selling ties, he decided to design his own neckwear. He went into business for himself in 1967, adopting the last name Lauren and selling his ties under the Polo nameplate. His fashions are marketed to those enjoying an elite lifestyle, and today, the Ralph Lauren design house is one of the most successful fashion houses in the world.

Ralph LaurenFrom the time the Polo brand debuted, Lauren's fashions had a very moneyed, aristocratic look- fashions that looked at home on upper-crust, East Coast Americans. His first menswear hit the market in 1968, made up of tweed suits in classic styles. He debuted a women's wear line in 1971, further refining his style and tailoring and adding a feminine touch. In 1972, Lauren offered the mesh sport top in a variety of colors and with a polo player emblem sewn on to the breast. That piece, the polo shirt, became a signature for Lauren and has inspired many imitators over the years. Lauren's style took off after "The Great Gatsby" was adapted for the silver screen in 1974 and featured clothing from his lines.

Lauren received even more attention when he provided the fashions for the 1977 movie "Annie Hall", where star Woody Allen wore chinos, oxford shirts, and tweed and Diane Keaton wore a mixture of Lauren's men's and women's pieces. Ralph Lauren has always put style and longevity before trends, and that philosophy has remained throughout the years. His style appeals to a cross-section of people, and his label has indeed become an empire. As Ralph Lauren clothing is closely associated with a bourgeoisie lifestyle, so is the designer's collection of home accessories. Over the years, Lauren has widened his appeal by offering clothing and accessories at many price points and for many demographics. He has won numerous CFDA awards, as well as the 1995 Womenswear Designer of the Year award.