Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer, philanthropist, and business executive best known for founding the Ralph Lauren Corporation, a global multibillion-dollar enterprise recognized for its influential role in clothing design and lifestyle branding.
Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in The Bronx, New York City. He was the third of four siblings born to Jewish immigrants Frieda and Frank Lifshitz, who emigrated from Belarus to the United States. The family settled in the Mosholu Parkway area of the Bronx, where Ralph was raised.
At the age of 16, Ralph and his brother Jerry legally changed their last name to Lauren. The decision was influenced by frequent bullying due to their original surname. Even in his youth, Lauren exhibited a unique sense of fashion, drawing inspiration from Hollywood icons such as Fred Astaire and Cary Grant.
Before launching his own brand, Ralph Lauren worked at the Brooks Brothers clothing store, where he gained valuable experience in retail and menswear design. In 1967, he introduced a distinctive line of wide neckties under the brand name Polo, marking the beginning of what would grow into a fashion empire.
The Polo brand evolved beyond neckwear to encompass a wide array of products, including men’s and women’s apparel, fragrances, accessories, home furnishings, and even dining collections. The lifestyle branding successfully captured a vision of refined, upper-class American living, helping Ralph Lauren Corporation become a dominant player in global fashion.
| Birth Date: | 14 Oct, 1939 |
| Age: | 80 yrs |
| Occupations: | Fashion designer Dressmaker |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | The Bronx |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American fashion designer and business executive |
| Spouse: | Ricky Lauren |
| Net Worth 2021: | 7.1 billion |
