Ralph Lauren
Born 1939 · Age 86
American fashion designer, philanthropist, and founder of the Ralph Lauren global lifestyle brand; long-serving executive chairman and chief creative officer.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx
Born to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant parents Frieda (Cutler) and Frank Lifshitz in The Bronx, New York City.
Early entrepreneurial activity — sold ties at school
As a youth he sold ties to classmates (reported anecdote used to illustrate early interest in neckwear).
Changed family surname from Lifshitz to Lauren
Ralph and his brother legally changed their surname to Lauren after experiencing bullying.
Graduated DeWitt Clinton High School
Completed secondary education at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx.
Enrolled at Baruch College (dropped out after two years)
Studied business at Baruch College (City University of New York) but left after two years to pursue other opportunities.
Enlisted/served in U.S. Army
Served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964.
Worked at Brooks Brothers and Rivetz; salesman in neckwear
After military service briefly worked as a sales assistant at Brooks Brothers and as a salesman for Rivetz necktie company.
Married Ricky Ann Loew-Beer
Married Ricky (Ricky Ann Loew-Beer) in New York City; the couple later had three children.
Early sales role at Beau Brummell leading to brand launch
While working for tie manufacturer Beau Brummell, convinced the company president to let him start his own line; pivotal step toward creating Polo.
Founded Ralph Lauren (launched neckwear line)
Launched a neckwear line under the name Polo while working out of a drawer in the Empire State Building; effectively the origin of The Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Debuted first full men's collection as 'Polo'
Expanded from ties to a full men's collection, naming it 'Polo' and selling classic sport-inspired menswear.
Bloomingdale's began selling Lauren's men's line
By 1969 Bloomingdale's sold his men's line, reportedly giving him the first in-store boutique for a designer.
Polo by Ralph Lauren shop opened in Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's opened the first dedicated Polo by Ralph Lauren boutique — significant retail milestone.
Received Coty Award (menswear)
Early industry recognition: Coty Award for best creativity in men's fashion design (1970).
Introduced tailored women's shirts; Polo pony emblem debuts
Launched a line of tailored shirts for women; the Polo player emblem appeared on the cuff for the first time.
Opened first freestanding store on Rodeo Drive
Opened a standalone Polo store on Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive — reported first freestanding store for an American designer.
Introduced signature cotton mesh Polo shirt
Launched the iconic Polo cotton mesh shirt with embroidered polo player at the chest; became a defining product.
Costume design for The Great Gatsby
Outfitted the male cast of the 1974 film The Great Gatsby with Polo designs; personally designed the pink suit for Robert Redford.
Won Coty award(s) and Hall of Fame entry
Received Coty Award recognition for womenswear and the Coty Hall of Fame award for menswear (noted milestone in industry recognition).
Clothes featured in Annie Hall
Diane Keaton and Woody Allen wore Lauren's clothes throughout the film Annie Hall, raising public profile.
Launched 'Lauren' women's fragrance (Mar 12) and 'Polo' men's cologne (Mar 26)
Warner-Lauren, Ltd. launched two fragrances simultaneously at Bloomingdale's: Lauren (women) and Polo (men). First time a designer launched two scents at once.
Opened first freestanding European store (New Bond Street, London)
First international freestanding store for an American designer opened on New Bond Street, London — brand goes international.
Launched Ralph Lauren Home
Expanded into home furnishings — bedding, furniture, and decor — creating a lifestyle extension beyond apparel.
Opened flagship in Rhinelander mansion (Madison Ave)
Reimagined and opened the multi-floor Rhinelander mansion flagship — a landmark retail experience and visual brand statement.
Underwent surgery to remove benign brain tumor
Underwent successful surgery in April 1987 to remove a benign brain tumor and made a full recovery.
Honorary Doctorate from Pratt Institute
Received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in recognition of contributions to design.
Co-founded Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research
Co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University Hospital in memory of Nina Hyde; signaled long-term focus on cancer philanthropy.
Polo Bear launched and received CFDA Lifetime Achievement
Polo Bear icon debuted; Ralph received the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement award (presented by Audrey Hepburn).
Launched Polo Sport / Stadium collection
Introduced the Polo Sport line (Stadium collection) — performance-driven activewear became a major brand extension.
Introduced Double RL (RRL)
Launched Double RL inspired by his Colorado ranch — a heritage/Western sub-label emphasizing authenticity.
Launched Ralph Lauren Paint
Introduced the Ralph Lauren Paint collection offering hundreds of color hues across multiple lifestyle palettes.
Launched Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Introduced Purple Label — a high-end men’s line inspired by European tailoring.
Launched Lauren Ralph Lauren (diffusion line)
Introduced Lauren Ralph Lauren, a broader-priced diffusion line to reach wider markets.
IPO — Ralph Lauren Corporation listed on NYSE
Ralph Lauren Corporation became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (company had reached about $1 billion in sales prior to IPO).
Donation to Save America's Treasures for Star-Spangled Banner preservation
Polo Ralph Lauren contributed to the conservation of the original Star-Spangled Banner (commonly reported as a $10M-$13M pledge/donation).
Opened RL restaurant in Chicago (first restaurant)
Opened the 98-seat 'RL' restaurant adjacent to the brand's largest store in Chicago — first restaurant venture.
Launched polo.com via RL Media (with NBC)
Launched an early content-commerce site, polo.com, through a joint RL Media venture with NBC; merged content and e‑commerce.
Launched Pink Pony campaign
Introduced Pink Pony — a signature global initiative to fight cancer by raising awareness and funding through product lines and events.
Established Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation
The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation (charitable organization) was established to support cancer research and other causes.
Opened Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem
Partnered with Memorial Sloan-Kettering and North General Hospital to open a Harlem-based cancer care and prevention center.
Established Polo Fashion School
Created the Polo Fashion School program connecting company executives with inner-city youth to teach about the fashion business.
Car collection exhibited at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Seventeen cars from Lauren's collection were displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston — recognition of his automotive collecting.
Polo Ralph Lauren named official outfitter of Wimbledon
Became the first designer chosen to create uniforms for on-court officials at Wimbledon; major sports partnership.
Polo Fashion School / American Heroes Fund initiatives
Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation established American Heroes Fund (post-9/11) and continued volunteerism efforts; multiple CSR initiatives expanded.
Acquired NBC share of RL Media & relaunched ralphlauren.com (2007)
Ralph Lauren Corporation acquired NBC's stake in RL Media and relaunched the site as ralphlauren.com.
Won American Fashion Legend Award & CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year
Recognized by CFDA and received the inaugural American Fashion Legend Award (presented by Oprah Winfrey).
Launched American Living for JCPenney
Introduced American Living — a large cross-category brand launched exclusively for JCPenney.
Polo Jeans G.I.V.E. campaign launched (2006 noted) and volunteer programs continued
Ongoing corporate social responsibility initiatives expanded (Polo Jeans G.I.V.E., Volunteer Program).
Won CFDA Popular Vote Award
Received the CFDA Popular Vote Award, voted by the public as the most popular designer.
Received Key to City of New York and French Légion d'honneur
Honored by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg with a key to the city and by France as Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur for contributions to design and philanthropy.
Opened Paris flagship and Ralph's restaurant on Boulevard Saint-Germain
Opened a 13,000-sq-ft Paris flagship townhouse and restaurant 'Ralph's' — expansion of global retail and hospitality footprint.
L'Art de L'Automobile exhibition in Paris and companion 160-page book
Presented 17-car exhibition in Paris showcasing his car collection and published a 160-page book celebrating the vehicles.
Smithsonian James Smithson Bicentennial Medal
Received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal from the Smithsonian recognizing contributions to American entrepreneurship and preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Partnered with Royal Marsden to develop breast cancer research facility
Ralph Lauren Corporation announced a partnership with The Royal Marsden to develop a world-class breast cancer research facility (announced 2014).
Opened The Polo Bar in New York City
Opened 'The Polo Bar' restaurant adjacent to the New York flagship — continued expansion into hospitality and lifestyle experiences.
Announced stepping down as CEO; remained executive chairman & chief creative officer
Ralph Lauren announced he would step down as CEO in November 2015 (Stefan Larsson named successor); Lauren remained executive chairman and chief creative officer.
Royal Marsden Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research opened
The Royal Marsden Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research opened in London — result of the 2014 partnership.
Appointed Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
Awarded an honorary KBE in 2017 (investiture performed privately at Buckingham Palace in 2019).
Hosted Fall 2017 runway show in his private garage (car collection)
Invited fashion world to a private show staged in his personal garage, linking automotive collection with brand storytelling.
50th anniversary Central Park fashion show
Celebrated 50 years of the brand with a star-studded fashion show at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park attended by celebrities and political figures.
Investiture for Honorary KBE at Buckingham Palace
Received the insignia in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace from Prince Charles, formalizing the 2017 honorary KBE.
Opened Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention at Georgetown (Lombardi)
A new Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention opened at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University to address health disparities.
Net worth reported by Forbes (May 2025)
Forbes estimated Ralph Lauren's net worth at US$11.9 billion (May 2025).
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden, becoming the first fashion designer to receive the award.
Key Achievement Ages
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