Archived // Cover Story
POWER IN FASHION:
Ralph Lauren
Chairman and CEO, Polo Ralph Lauren
By: Ed Stephon & Nicole Bruno
Chairman and CEO, Polo Ralph Lauren
By: Ed Stephon & Nicole Bruno
While many children living in the Bronx in the late 1940’s saved their money for baseball cards and soda pop, a young Ralph Lauren preferred to spend his savings on fashion. His appreciation for men's fashion inspired him to open a necktie store, which included some of his own designs under the name, “Polo.” What set him apart from other designers was his sense of individuality. “I am not looking like Armani today and somebody else tomorrow. I look like Ralph Lauren. And my goal is to constantly move in fashion and move in style without giving up what I am,” says Lauren.
By 1997, Ralph Lauren had become a household name in fashion and had opened 35 boutiques in the country. Today, Lauren has become the epitome of classic fashion. Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For the last 40 years, Polo's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include "Polo by Ralph Lauren," " Ralph Lauren Purple Label," “Ralph Lauren," "Black Label," "Blue Label," " Lauren by Ralph Lauren," "Polo Jeans Co.," "RRL," "RLX," "Rugby," "RL Childrenswear," "Chaps," and "Club Monaco" among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. The “Polo” brand is the ultimate representation of classic American Style, in which Lauren has made into a multi-million dollar company through his passion and innovation. His keen sense of style and acumen has enabled him to rise above other fashion designers and create something entirely new: A lifestyle that embodies class and sophistication. The pride he takes in his products have allowed him to prevail through many uncertainness, and his dedication to his brand has made him an icon. Lauren says, “I have always had a clear vision. I wanted to develop quality products that didn’t exist and create a whole world around that. It means taking risks, going with what you feel, but never losing sight of your vision and conviction.”
Once a poor boy from the Bronx, Ralph Lauren has now found success. “People ask how can a Jewish kid from the Bronx do preppy clothes? Does it have to do with class and money? It has to do with dreams,” say Lauren. With his appreciation for many of his dreams coming true throughout his life, he now focuses on giving others a chance.
Personally and corporately, Ralph Lauren has always had a strong commitment to philanthropy. Beginning in 1994, Lauren led the fashion industry in its support of breast cancer research with the Council of Fashion Designers of America initiative Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. In 1989, along with the late Katherine Graham, he founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University. In 1998, Polo Ralph Lauren announced a corporate gift of $13 million to the Save America’s Treasures Campaign to preserve the Star-Spangled Banner, which is housed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of
By 1997, Ralph Lauren had become a household name in fashion and had opened 35 boutiques in the country. Today, Lauren has become the epitome of classic fashion. Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For the last 40 years, Polo's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include "Polo by Ralph Lauren," " Ralph Lauren Purple Label," “Ralph Lauren," "Black Label," "Blue Label," " Lauren by Ralph Lauren," "Polo Jeans Co.," "RRL," "RLX," "Rugby," "RL Childrenswear," "Chaps," and "Club Monaco" among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. The “Polo” brand is the ultimate representation of classic American Style, in which Lauren has made into a multi-million dollar company through his passion and innovation. His keen sense of style and acumen has enabled him to rise above other fashion designers and create something entirely new: A lifestyle that embodies class and sophistication. The pride he takes in his products have allowed him to prevail through many uncertainness, and his dedication to his brand has made him an icon. Lauren says, “I have always had a clear vision. I wanted to develop quality products that didn’t exist and create a whole world around that. It means taking risks, going with what you feel, but never losing sight of your vision and conviction.”
Once a poor boy from the Bronx, Ralph Lauren has now found success. “People ask how can a Jewish kid from the Bronx do preppy clothes? Does it have to do with class and money? It has to do with dreams,” say Lauren. With his appreciation for many of his dreams coming true throughout his life, he now focuses on giving others a chance.
Personally and corporately, Ralph Lauren has always had a strong commitment to philanthropy. Beginning in 1994, Lauren led the fashion industry in its support of breast cancer research with the Council of Fashion Designers of America initiative Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. In 1989, along with the late Katherine Graham, he founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University. In 1998, Polo Ralph Lauren announced a corporate gift of $13 million to the Save America’s Treasures Campaign to preserve the Star-Spangled Banner, which is housed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of
PAST ISSUES // Cover Stories
©2011 CELEBRITY SOCIETY
9606 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD | THIRD FLOOR | BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA 90210
CONTACT@CELEBRITYSOCIETY.COM | 310.859.6654
9606 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD | THIRD FLOOR | BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA 90210
CONTACT@CELEBRITYSOCIETY.COM | 310.859.6654