Ralph Lauren Company Info

American clothing can be defined before and after Ralph Lauren. Ralph, who set out on his journey from a poor family of four children, suffered from a lack of clothes in the Bronx and bullying because of his last name, Lifshitz. Along with his brother, Ralph changed his last name to avoid childish comments and ended up with Lauren, which sounded pleasant to his ears. The designer has not attended fashion schools, but draws his design language from the costumes of old Hollywood films, the English tailoring tradition, and American work, cowboy and Native American clothing. His student years at Baruch College, with their Ivy League style, are also an inseparable part of RL's collections.

Polo Ralph Lauren was born in 1967, when the 28-year-old designer, who had previously worked as a salesman at Brooks Brothers, took a job for the necktie manufacturer Beau Brummell. He convinced the company's boss to join him and created the Polo-collection of very wide, handmade ties, which sold very quickly. A year later, the first complete Polo clothing collection appeared, in 1969 the first store opened, and in the '70s Ralph Lauren received his first Coty Award for a completely unconstructed suit. In 1971, the famous polo player logo appeared on Polo clothing and the first women's shirts were launched.

A year later, the popular Polo shirt made of mercerized cotton was created, initially offered in 24 colors (in this respect, RL is of course following in the footsteps of Lacoste, whose shirt was born in the '30s). The same year, the first RL collection for women was introduced. Before Lauren was hired as the costume designer for The Great Gatsby, he had already designed a men's collection that followed the design language of the '20s and '30s, which caught the attention of the producers. Most of the costumes in the film are directly from Lauren's collection, the only specially commissioned outfit is the cheeky pink suit worn by Gatsby himself. In 1974, Lauren was also awarded his first Coty Award for women's clothing. The pace never stopped.

In 1976, Ralph Lauren received his second Coty Award in the women's clothing category and the Coty Hall of Fame Award for his men's clothing. He is the first winner of both the men's and women's clothing categories in the history of the award. In the same year, the Polo for Boys collection was born. A year later, another Coty Hall of Fame Award is awarded, this time for women's clothing. When the film Annie Hall was released, Ralph Lauren was responsible for the costumes. In the same year, 1977, RL begins publishing its trademark long advertising inserts, so-called mailers, which resemble movie scene cuts more than actual advertisements.

In 1978, RL's first men's fragrances and Western-inspired collections were launched. In 1981, RL opened its first store outside the US, in the wood-paneled premises of an old pharmacy on Bond Street in London, published its first mailer-style multi-photo ads and received its first CFDA award. In 1983, Ralph Lauren made small-scale history by becoming the first clothing manufacturer to launch a home furnishings and linen collection. Since then, countless manufacturers have followed Lauren's example.

In 1986, RL ​​opened its flagship store in New York's Rhinelander Mansion, which was completely renovated before opening, another large store in Paris, and received his  second CFDA award. In 1988, The American Folk Art Museum honored Lauren for his work in favor of American style, two years later the Polo Golf collection was launched, and in 1992 Lauren was awarded the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award. A year later, the Polo Sport collection was created, as well as separate collections for babies and the youngest members of the family. The pace still continues, and in 1993 a leisure collection, RRL, was created, and a year later the most high-end men's collection Purple Label.

1995 brought a third CFDA award, this time in the womenswear category, 1996 for Ralph by Ralph Lauren and the Polo Jean Co. collection. The CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award was also awarded. In 1997, Ralph Lauren’s hugely expanded company is listed on the stock exchange and a year later the RLX collection offering professional sportswear was created. In 2002, the women’s collection Ralph Lauren Blue Label is launched, a year later the company opens its first children’s clothing store in New York. 2004 brings the Rugby collection and Jamaica, which Ralph Lauren has supported over the years, honors the designer with its own stamp.

In 2005, the Italian-style men's collection Black Label was created, in 2006 RL is chosen as the official clothing designer of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, in 2007 the CFDA is at it again: Ralph Lauren receives the organization's first ever Fashion Legend award and also the menswear designer of the year award. In the same year, the company celebrates its 40th anniversary with a grand gala in New York's Central Park. In 2008, RL becomes the first clothing manufacturer to enter the mobile sales market, in 2009 the CFDA again awards the designer, and RL launches the Ralph Lauren Wathc&Jewelry Co. collection. In 2010, Ralph Lauren is made a member of the French Legion of Honor.

Today, RL is one of the world's largest clothing companies, able to dress anyone for any occasion, from baby to old age. The company outsources most of its production to countries with cheap labor, but RL is also one of the few clothing companies that has remained faithful to the tradition of classic style. Although the quality is not very high on average, it is  consistent and the prices have not completely disappeared from the masses on cheaper collections. In the case of RL, there are also pieces in each collection that are worth their price just for the design.

Ralph Lauren's past and current collections:

  • Polo
  • Chaps
  • Purple Label
  • Black Label
  • Blue Label
  • Polo Shirt
  • RRL
  • Big&Tall
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Ralph Lauren Home (interior)
  • Baby
  • Children
  • RLX (technical clothing)
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