This is the story of a renowned American luxury brand that began by crafting ties and grew into one of the world’s most iconic names in fashion. Discover more about Ralph Lauren’s origins and evolution below, brought to you by manhattanka.
The Brand’s Beginnings
Ralph Lauren Corporation, universally known as Ralph Lauren, is a celebrated American brand. It was established in 1967 by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The company’s headquarters are in Manhattan, with its flagship store prominently situated on Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side. Ralph Lauren is renowned for its luxury goods, including apparel, accessories, fragrances, lingerie, and a wide array of other products.
The brand’s journey began when Ralph Lauren was just 28. At the time, he was working for a tie manufacturer named Beau Brummell. Driven by a desire to create something superior, Lauren sought his boss’s approval and, in 1967, launched his own line of ties under the name “Polo.” By 1969, his creations were stocked in the prestigious Bloomingdale’s department store. In 1971, Ralph Lauren unveiled its first womenswear pieces – a collection of tailored shirts featuring the now-iconic polo player emblem. A year later, the first complete women’s collection debuted.
Continued Success and Expansion
The momentum continued, and in 1972, Lauren opened his first standalone store in California. That same year, the brand introduced its signature cotton mesh Polo shirt, available in twenty-four vibrant colors. The “polo player” logo quickly became the brand’s unmistakable emblem. Significantly, Ralph Lauren designed costumes for the acclaimed American film The Great Gatsby in 1974. In 1977, his designs were also featured in the movie Annie Hall, which went on to win an Academy Award.
The brand ventured into fragrances in 1978 with the launch of Lauren for women and Polo for men. A major milestone occurred in 1981 when Ralph Lauren opened its first international standalone store in Great Britain. On June 12, 1997, the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange. The turn of the millennium saw the launch of Ralph Lauren’s first e-commerce site, polo.com, in 2000, later rebranded as ralphlauren.com. More recently, in 2023, Ralph Lauren introduced the Artist in Residence program, aimed at promoting and supporting Indigenous communities by collaborating with designers and artists from these groups.
What Other Brands Does Ralph Lauren Own?
Ralph Lauren Corporation also oversees several other distinct brands, including:
- Double RL: Established in 1993, this brand offers military-inspired and vintage clothing, denim, sportswear, and select accessories.
- Chaps: A mid-tier brand providing casual sportswear for men and women.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren: Launched in 1996, this line offers accessories, footwear, sportswear, denim, dresses, and activewear at a more accessible price point. It also includes tailored men’s clothing such as suits, tuxedos, ties, sport coats, shirts, and trousers at a considerably lower price.
- Ralph Lauren Watches and Fine Jewelry: Offering high-end timepieces and exquisite jewelry.
- Ralph Lauren Restaurants: The first, RL Restaurant Chicago, opened in 1999 adjacent to the world’s largest Ralph Lauren flagship store.
- Ralph Lauren Purple Label: Introduced in 1994, this premier luxury label is known for its custom-tailored suits, sophisticated sportswear, as well as high-end furniture, footwear, accessories, and more.
- Ralph Lauren Home and Paint: In 1983, the brand expanded into home furnishings with its first home collection, featuring items like porcelain, crystal, sterling silver, furniture, bedding, bath linens, and decorative accessories.