Part 10 - Ralph Lauren x
“When I was growing up, officers in uniform were very impressive to me".
"I don't design clothes - I design dreams".
Ralph Lifshitz, known globally as fashion designer Ralph Lauren, was born October 14th, 1939, in New York City, via The Bronx, to Jewish immigrant parents from Pinsk, Poland (now known as Belarus).
3 years younger (80), Calvin Klein also grew up in the Bronx's Jewish community.
Soon after Ralph's brother Jerry, changed their last name to Lauren, due to the cruel hands of bullying, Ralph went on to serve in the U.S. Army, from 1962, to 1964, where he felt akin to being a "warrior".
Later, he would go on to derive great influence from the smart military designs.
After dipping his toes into the Fashion/Sales firmament, at Brooks Brothers, he became affiliated with Boston Tie Company, Rivetz, as a Salesman, before successfully convincing another tie manufacturer Beau Brummell, to introduce his own line of ties, within his own Corporation, Ralph Lauren, in 1967.
He began launching/selling European-esque, "wide and unusual" ties from a drawer, crafted in the Empire State Building, where he would go on to launch his "Polo" range in 1968, being financially backed by Norman Hilton, personally delivering his own stock to various stores.
1969 was a big hitting year for the brand, as Bloomingdales sold their men's line, exclusively and for the first ever time, the store had given a designer its own boutique.
1971, was another memorable year for the label, as the world would be first introduced to the now famous Polo player emblem, via a women's line of tailored shirts, appearing on the cuff.
As of the same year, it would be the first time ever, that an American designer would have its own freestanding store. This featured in California.
In 1972, the cotton mesh polo shirt would give the clothing line the preppy, smart/casual look, that it is now synonymous with.
This featured the polo player logo on the chest, with 24 different colours, that has expanded every year since, suiting Football Casuals to a tee, for a choice of team hues.
(The first ever polo shirt itself, was first worn in 1926, by French tennis player, René Lacoste; featured in Chapter 4).
In 1974, the world of cinema was splashed with Ralph Lauren, for the big screen male casting of The Great Gatsby, especially for Robert Redford.
In 1978, Bloomingdales would be hugely influential, again, as the fragrances of Ralph Lauren would feature heavily, for both men and women; another first. "London Calling" - "The Big Smoke" opened a freestanding store for the company, in 1981.
Again, it would be another first for an American designer to do so, internationally, such was the success and ambition of the man and his team.
Polo Sport was first launched in 1992 and by 1997, the company started trading publicly on The New York Stock Exchange.
The brand and the man behind it all, remains timelessly cultured, inclusive, smooth, stylish and sentimental (like the bear).
Oh; And his niece Jenny, will tell you that the iconic label's name is pronounced like the girl's name.
Live like his incredible collection of cars - In the fast lane.
Be like Ralph Lauren x