Ralph Lauren

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Black and White photograph of Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren (born Ralph Lifschitz on October 14, 1939) is an American fashion designer and business executive.

Born in the New York City borough of the Bronx to Jewish immigrants Frank and Frieda Lifschitz, his father was a house painter. There are many parallels with the late Robert Denning, the interior designer. Both grew up without fashion, but went on to create for others an environment of society, old money and country-club style. Although neither had any exposure to this world as a child, each was able to visualize and create his dream. For Lauren this look would eventually become Polo Ralph Lauren.

From a very young age, Ralph started working after school to earn money to buy stylish, expensive suits. He preferred quality over quantity. His attire soon gave him a trendy reputation among his peers.

Ralph attended DeWitt Clinton High School, on number 42 Mosholu Parkway, in the Bronx. Others who attended this school include Burt Lancaster, Robert Klein, and Stan Lee. At age 16, Ralph and his middle brother Jerry changed their last name from Lifschitz to Lauren. Some consider this a denial of their Jewish heritage; Ralph considered it necessary for success.

He went to the City College of New York where he studied Business and dropped out after two years. From 1962 to 1964, he served in the United States Army. After his discharge, in 1964, he married Ricky Low-Beer. He did not attend fashion school, but worked for Brooks Brothers as a salesman and created the label Polo, a necktie business. He later purchased this name from his initial backer, Norman Hilton. Lauren's fashion empire has since grown into a billion-dollar business.

In 1984 he recreated the Rhinelander Mansion, a former home of the photographer Edgar de Evia and Robert Denning, into the flagship store for Polo Ralph Lauren. This same year de Evia photographed the Lauren home at Round Hill in Jamaica for House & Garden.

In the mid 1990s, Polo Ralph Lauren became a public company, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RL.

Ralph and his wife, Ricky, have two sons and a daughter: Andrew, David, and Dylan. David is an executive at Polo Ralph Lauren. Dylan owns and operates an upscale candy store, Dylan's Candy Bar, at 59th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan.

Lauren is also well-known as a collector of classic automobiles. His cars have won best in show at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance multiple times. His collection was recently displayed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Clothing brands

Since the inception of Polo in 1967, Ralph Lauren has created many other brands. They include:

[Clothing for men]:

[Purple Label], his signature men's line
[Polo Ralph Lauren]
[Create Your Own]
[RLX], a high-end sports apparel company
[Polo Jeans Co.] for men
[Big & Tall]
[Chaps]
[Polo Golf] for men
[Polo Black Label Collection for Men]
RRL (Double RL), vintage-inspired Western wear

[Clothing for women]:

[Ralph Lauren Collection], his finest women's line
[Ralph Lauren Black Label]
[Ralph Lauren Blue Label]
[Lauren Ralph Lauren]
[Create Your Own]
[Ralph Lauren Golf] for women
[Polo Jeans Co.] for women
[RLX]
[Pink Pony], benefiting cancer care and prevention

The company has recently developed Rugby, Ralph Lauren's newest brand, intended to appeal to the college set. Opened in 2004, Rugby currenty has stores in Palo Alto, California, New Canaan, Connecticut, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., Boston, Massachusetts, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, New York, New York, and Charlottesville, Virginia. Two more stores plan to open in Seattle, Washington (August 2006) and Dallas, Texas (October 2006). More information about [Rugby]

In 2006 Ralph Lauren became the first Official Outfitter of Wimbledon, redesigning the outfits for ballboys, line and court judges and the Wimbledon logo was adapted for this purpose. Ralph Lauren's Polo brand and style was used and a range of clothing for men and women was launched on 26th June.

Additionally, Ralph Lauren acquired Canadian brand Club Monaco in 1999 for $52.5 million.

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