Native New Yorker Ralph Lauren (né Liefschitz) spent his formative years in The Bronx, having had a fairly conventional upbringing as the son of Belarusian Jewish immigrants. Despite this, Ralph displayed an eye for smart clothing at an early age, working all the overtime he could get at various New York department stores to afford the latest, and often most expensive, styles. Before becoming the most iconic designer of his generation, Ralph spent two years at business school, then dropped out to enlist in the army. Once out of military life, he married in 1964 and got a job at Brooks Brothers in Manhattan, making his first foray into the world of fashion.
In 1967, Ralph set up his own Polo brand, whose timeless collegiate-inspired designs propelled him straight into the big time. Three years later, the Ralph Lauren Polo shirt was born, redefining the tennis shirt and thus stealing much of the French brand Lacoste's thunder.
During the 1980s, Ralph diversified by expanding into homewares, denim, kids' clothing, colognes and more. Meaning that not only could you be a well-dressed all-American individual, but now your home could also be the perfect image of the American dream, not to mention the kids. Lauren even included instructions for arranging his home collection. He opened a huge flagship store on Madison Avenue, the first of its kind to offer the immersive shopping experience we are now so familiar with.
The 1980s also saw the arrival of Ralph's Polo brand and its various spin-off lines that were picked up by everyone from royalty to rap crews. In fact, the rise of hip-hop culture during this time was instrumental to Polo's success. Ralph's humble Bronx background provided the perfect example of the aspirational 'rags to riches' rap narrative, hitting the music scene at the time. The youth immediately identified with the brand and acted accordingly, and Polo became an instant success.
A household name for over 40 years, Ralph Lauren has designed official uniforms for both the Olympics and the last ten Wimbledon tournaments. A benchmark for enduring style and quality, Ralph Lauren Polo continues to make the American Dream wearable.
To see how this unique vision translates into modern wardrobe staples, explore the latest arrivals in our Polo Ralph Lauren shop.
Written by Neil Summers
