The Ralph Lauren Corporation traces its origins to 1967, when its founder began selling men's neckties while operating from a single drawer in an Empire State Building showroom. Over the subsequent decades, this enterprise evolved into a global fashion presence, fundamentally shaping the preppy aesthetic and incorporating motifs of British aristocracy and traditional craftsmanship into the American wardrobe.
Early Development and Branding
Born in the Bronx in 1939, Ralph Lauren attended DeWitt Clinton High School before enrolling at Baruch College. After serving in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964, he gained retail experience at Brooks Brothers and Rivetz. By 1968, he introduced his first full menswear line under the name Polo. His expansion continued in 1971 with the launch of a women's tailored shirt line, which prominently featured the brand's signature polo player emblem.
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The company established a significant presence in the 1970s, notably with the 1972 release of the cotton mesh polo shirt, marketed with the campaign slogan focusing on seventeen available colors. His aesthetic, described as an Anglophile appreciation for heritage, gained cultural traction through high-profile costume design for films including The Great Gatsby in 1974 and Annie Hall in 1977. By 1978, the label diversified into fragrance, becoming the first designer brand to launch simultaneous scents for men and women.
Retail and Corporate Expansion
During the 1980s and 1990s, the brand broadened its retail footprint, including the 1986 opening of a flagship location in the Rhinelander mansion on Madison Avenue. The firm went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1997. Further diversification included the 1999 launch of the RL restaurant in Chicago, followed by dining venues in Paris and New York. Lauren eventually transitioned from his role as CEO in 2015, assuming the positions of executive chairman and chief creative officer.
Fast facts
- Born: 1939, The Bronx, New York
- Citizenship: United States
- Notable Education: DeWitt Clinton High School, Baruch College
- Founded: Ralph Lauren Corporation, 1967
- Key Award: Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2025
- Key Award: Officer of the Legion of Honour, 2019
- Position: Executive Chairperson
- Estimated Net Worth: US$15.2 billion as of June 2026
Questions readers ask
What was the brand's first signature item?
Ralph Lauren launched his corporation in 1967 with a line of men's neckties.
Where did the brand first establish a freestanding store?
The first freestanding store for the designer opened in 1971 on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California.
Achievements
- Officer of the Legion of Honour — 2019
- Presidential Medal of Freedom — 2025
- Educated at City University of New York, DeWitt Clinton High School and Baruch College
- Worked as fashion designer
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