Ralph Lauren History
Ralph Lauren was born to a Jewish middle-class family in New York in 1939.
Initially, he started off his career as a salesman in two glove companies.
Later on, he started designing ties for A. Rivetz & Co, which gave a boost
to his career path.
1967
Ralph Lauren establishes the Polo label with an instantly successful line of
ties. In direct opposition to the narrow ties and conventional styles of the
time,
Lauren designs wide, handmade ties using unexpected, flamboyant,
opulent materials. The ties quickly become a menswear status item.
Already interested in promoting a lifestyle with his ties, Ralph Lauren
names his line after a sport that embodies a world of discreet elegance and
classic style: Polo
1968
Ralph Lauren is at the forefront of the men’s fashion revolution in America.
He is the first to merge classic American style with the refinement,
tailoring and sensibility of European fashion. Lauren establishes Polo as a
leading menswear company dedicated to providing a total look.
1969
Polo by Ralph Lauren establishes the first shop within a shop designer boutique
for men in Bloomingdale’s in New York City.
1970
Ralph Lauren wins his first Coty Award for Menswear. (The Coty Awards became
the Council of Fashion Designers of America/CFDA Awards.)
1971
open with the introduction of Ralph Lauren womenswear. Lauren creates a
daring line of men’s tailored shirts for women—reinventing a classic men’s
look for women’s style.
The women’s line also brings the birth of the polo player emblem. Originally
on the cuff of women’s tailored shirts, the now ubiquitous logo begins the
Polo signature status combined with designer appeal.
1972
Polo Ralph Lauren expands its presence into accessories and footwear, as well as
boys wear and fragrances.
1973
Ralph Lauren opens new fashion worlds for women by providing, for the first
time, feminine designs and cuts with the beautiful, rich fabrics, authentic
details and nuances of menswear tailoring.
Polo’s original mesh shirt with the polo player logo
is introduced in 24 colors. The shirt instantly becomes an American classic.
Polo Ralph Lauren romances the preppy heritage of American menswear,
creating what will be a major touchstone for the company in the years to
come. The Polo mesh shirts—along with the oxford button-down shirts, chinos,
tweed jackets, denim and chambray shirts—develop iconic status as the
embodiment of the Polo lifestyle
1974
Paramount Studios asks Ralph Lauren to design the men’s costumes for Jack
Clayton’s movie The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford. Ralph
Lauren clothes the entire male cast in his current line, a 1920s-inflected
series of men’s suits and sweaters deeply influenced by the American icons
Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
1978
Ralph Lauren’s first fragrances, Polo for Men and Lauren, are introduced.
This is the first time that two fragrances—one for men and one for women—are
launched together.
1983
The Ralph Lauren home collection debuts. Ralph Lauren makes history as the first
fashion designer to launch an entire home collection. The luxurious line includes bedding, towels, area rugs, wall
coverings and tabletop and table coverings, which combine to create a
timeless American home.
1986
Polo Ralph Lauren opens a flagship store in the famous Rhinelander mansion on
Madison Avenue at 72nd Street.
1992
Audrey Hepburn, one of Ralph Lauren’s favorite childhood stars, presents him
with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award. A recognized leader in his field,
Lauren is the only designer to receive the CFDA’s four highest honors—the
Lifetime Achievement Award, the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award and
the Menswear Designer of the Year Award, as well as Retailer of the Year.
1993
The Polo Sport line is introduced as Ralph Lauren meets the national changing
attitude toward fitness and health with an entire fitness lifestyle
1996
Diana, princess of Wales, presents Ralph Lauren with the first Humanitarian
Award from the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research in recognition of
his extraordinary leadership in the fight against breast cancer.
2000
Polo Ralph Lauren contributes $5 million to establish the Ralph Lauren Center for
Cancer Prevention
2003
In August 2003, Polo Ralph Lauren offered the Create-Your-Own polo shirt for
men and women
Ralph Lauren Today
29 March 2006 a 24,000-square-foot Ralph Lauren flagship store opens in the
Omotesando shopping area of Tokyo, Japan.
The store features the full range of Ralph Lauren designs and merchandise, as well as an exclusive,
limited-edition collection of exquisite handbags and accessories.
|
|
Accessories
Belts
