11 Must-Know Facts About Ralph Lauren
In honor of Ralph Lauren's 84th birthday, get to know the incomparable fashion designer and businessman.
Ralph Lauren is a household name in the world of fashion. As one of the most outstanding designers of this generation, Lauren has been leading his fashion empire and a force of an entrepreneur for over half a century, with his company celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018. His name is often synonymous with iconic menswear, whether that be in the form of luxury suits, classic polos, or commerically successful women's perfumes and men's colognes.
Born in The Bronx, Lauren has had a whirlwind of a life that has led him to this point in his career. He stepped down as CEO of his namesake company in 2015, but still serves as executive chairman and chief creative officer. Outside of fashion, the designer has also committed to philanthropy, founding and supporting multiple programs committed to cancer research, volunteer opportunities, and educational resources. As of March 2024, Lauren also released a new Ralph Lauren men's fragrance called Polo Est. 67 and will feature New York Yankees team captain Aaron Judge as the face of the fragrance.
In celebration of Lauren's intrepid accomlishments, L'OFFICIEL rounds up 10 must-know facts about the fashion icon.
He started with designing neckties.
Lauren started his career as a tie designer. After working for Brooks Brothers as a salesman, he branched off and started his own company, going from store to store and selling ties out of a drawer in the Empire State Building. Some of his first ties were made out of old rags. Lauren described them as "wide and unusual," which helped the ties stand out in the market and become successful. His penchant for creating unique designs allowed him to distinguish himself as an innovative designer. His creative fair, which started with tie-making, eventually followed him when he went on to create his own fashion empire. The ties and pocket squares at Ralph Lauren stores continue to be a hit, as many men are seen fashioning them to this day.
Before he became the icon he is today, his was initially born Ralph Lifshitz. At the age of 16, Ralph and his brother Jerry changed eventually changed their last name to Lauren, as the designer was constantly teased in school for his name which eventually led the designer himself to change his name to Ralph Lauren. In an interview with Oprah, Lauren revealed that his cousins changed thier name to Lawrence. "So I just thought, "I'm going to pick a nice last name"—it wasn't particularly connected to anything or anyone," the designer said.
He is an honorary knight.
In a private ceremony, Lauren was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to fashion. He was presented with an honorary knighthood by then-Prince Charles in June 2019, which made him the first American designer with the title.
This comes as no surprise, as Lauren's commitment to fashion is deemed invaluable. However, Americans receiving knighthood is a rarity, and Lauren is one of 15 people to receive the honor. The designer shares the honor with three presidents, Bush Sr., Eisenhower, and Reagan, as well as some well-known names in entertainment like Bob Hope and Angelina Jolie. Lauren's being chosen for this coveted title means that Ralph Lauren as a brand has made a profound contribution to the U.K. and its people.
He collects cars.
Lauren has an impressive car collection, with over 70 expensive cars featured. There is even a portion of the Ralph Lauren website that is dedicated to the massive car collection, and some of the priceless vehicles include a 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa, a 1929 Bentley, and one of the two existing Bugatti type 57SC that is worth $41 million.
He made a surprising cameo on Friends.
In Season 5 of the hit show Friends, Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel Green worked in an executive position for Ralph Lauren. The designer made two cameo appearances in one episode, both instances being in an elevator.
He designed all the menswear in The Great Gatsby.
Lauren's clothes were featured in Jack Clayton's 1974 adaptation of The Great Gatsby, in which leading man Robert Redford dons a wonderful collection of dapper suits. Some of Lauren's clothes were also featured in Woody Allen's Annie Hall, with Diane Keaton's character owning a tuxedo jacket from the legendary designer.
He also helmed the designs for the film Annie Hall
Ralph Lauren's brand was also used to costume the Woody Allen film clothes were featured in Jack Clayton's 1974 adaptation of The Great Gatsby, in which leading man Robert Redford dons a wonderful collection of dapper suits. Some of Lauren's clothes were also featured in Woody Allen's Annie Hall, with Diane Keaton's character owning a tuxedo jacket from the legendary designer.
He is the only designer to win the CDFA's top four honors.
Lauren is the only designer who has won the fashion equivalent of the EGOT, earning the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, the Menswear Designer of the Year Award, and the Retailer of the Year Award. He was presented with his first Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 by his close friend Audrey Hepburn, which he stated was the most important award he's ever won. The honor is well deserved, as Ralph Lauren continued to launch a wild, succussful women's, men's, and children's line in addition to coveted women's perfume.
He did not invent the polo shirt.
Contrary to popular belief, Lauren was not actually the one who invented the polo shirt. It was actually invented by René Lacoste in 1926, who thought stiff tennis shirts were too uncomfortable. Lauren is, of course, responsible for making the shirt popular by coining the Polo Ralph logo, taking up the rights in the late '70s, and making them an iconic staple for years to come. These shirts continue to be seen in Ralph Lauren stores and are worn by many to this day.
His daughter opened a franchise of candy stores.
Lauren's daughter, Dylan, opened up a chain of candy stores called Dylan's Candy Bar. Inspired by Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory from a very young age, she spent years studying abroad, tasting, and discovering new candies before eventually opening up her first store in 2001.
Dylan has certainly learned from the best, as her father is one of the most successful designers and businessmen in fashion. With the insurmountable number of Ralph Lauren stores across the country, it's clear the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as Dylan's Candy Bar has multiple locations nationwide, with two being in Manhattan.
He threw the first pitch at a Yankees Game.
Lauren celebrated his brand's 50th anniversary at a Yankees Game in 2018, throwing the first pitch in celebration. He described it to be one of his fondest memories and even designed a limited-edition Polo x Yankees collection.
