Polo ralph lauren history. Ralph Lauren: biography and personal life

(Ralph Lauren) - American famous all over the world. His company, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, produces clothing, underwear, perfumes, furniture, textiles, tableware, wallpaper, sweets, and pet products. Ralph Lauren was awarded the title “Fashion Legend” by the US Design Council, and also received the title “Designer of the Year” three times (1986, 1995, 1996). is the embodiment of the so-called " American dream", when a person from the lower strata of society can achieve significant heights.

“I never went to fashion school - I was a young guy who had his own style. I could not imagine that Polo would become what it is. I just followed my instincts."

Biography

40s – 50s

Ralph Lauren was born on October 14, 1939 in the Bronx, New York. Until the age of 16, the future designer bore the Jewish surname Livshits. His parents came from Belarus: his mother Frida Kotlyar was from Grodno, and his father Frank Livshits was from Pinsk. They met in the USA and got married when they were 16 years old. In addition to Ralph, the family had three more sons. Ralph's mother raised the children, and his father painted buildings. They lived in a one-room apartment, and their neighbor was the future famous designer.

As a child, Ralph first wanted to become a professional basketball player, and later - famous actor. At that time, there was only one closet in the Livshits apartment. Visiting a wealthy classmate, Ralph was amazed to see his separate wardrobe with neatly folded clothes and shoes with spacers inserted. For the first time he thought that there should be something similar in his life. Since then, Ralph Lifshitz had a goal to become rich and successful. In one of his school essays he wrote that he wanted to become a millionaire.

The boy begins to earn extra money and save money, and at the age of 12 he buys his first symbol of luxury - a classic three-piece suit.

Ralph Lifshitz often thought about changing Jewish surname to a more euphonious one. At that time, his father's relatives moved to California and became known locally as the Lawrences. The future designer also wanted to have an Americanized surname, and in 1955 the sixteen-year-old boy became Ralph Lauren.

“I changed my last name not at all because I was ashamed of being a Jew. My American classmates heard only the “shit” part of the surname Livshits. I absolutely did not want to endure ridicule all my life because of the flat jokes of my fellow countrymen.”

60s

In 1962, Ralph Lauren enlisted in the army. Upon returning home two years later, he began studying economics and business at City College in Manhattan. In his third year, Ralph abandoned education and traveled around the United States as a traveling salesman, selling to Americans ladies gloves And men's ties. Later, Ralph Lauren began working as a clothing salesman at "" and then as a tie designer at Rivetz & Co. The young man loved to read, and one day, inspired by Francis Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, he created a new model- wide silk tie. It did not immediately gain popularity, since thin herring ties were fashionable in those years. But Ralph began to take samples of the new model to stores on his own, and the ties were taken for sale at Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus.

In 1967, Ralph Lauren found an investor: Norman Hilton loaned the aspiring designer $50,000. There, he and his older brother opened the Polo Fashion brand and a store of the same name. As a symbol of his company, Ralph chose the name of an aristocratic sport that personifies elegance and impeccable style. Polo Fashion's modest windowless office was located in the famous Empire State Building. Stylish ties Ralph Lauren's luxury materials quickly gained popularity.

“The tie has become an object of male self-expression. I believed that people were already ready for something new and unusual. They didn't want to look like IBM employees. A beautiful tie has become a reflection of taste, quality and style.”

In 1968, Ralph Lauren released his first ready-to-wear collection men's clothing"Polo Ralph Lauren". The logo was an image of a polo player. Loose, elegant, with a laconic cut and simple, designed for business Americans, they appealed to both young people and older people.

“I believe in feeling, the overall sense of taste. You just need to show the client how to wear a tie correctly, that the most important thing is appearance.”

In 1969, Ralph Lauren created a new store-within-a-store concept by opening a large men's department at Bloomingdale's in New York.

“My clients are people who need a change in style and appearance, but who don’t know how to do it and are looking for something new, as well as those who don’t like the fleeting nature of fashion.”

70s

In the 70s, Polo Fashion was in danger of bankruptcy, but the designer was helped by investor Peter Smith, who became president of the company. This decade saw the launch of perfume and accessory lines. Ralph Lauren became the first designer to produce complete collections of home furnishings. In addition, he was the only one to produce sports shirts in 24 shades.

In 1970, the Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded Ralph Lauren the Coty Awards in the Men's Wear category.

In 1971, Ralph Lauren released the first clothing line for women, “Ralph Lauren Womens wear.” The main focus of the collection was white cotton shirts, tailored according to the pattern men's shirts. In the same year, the designer opened on the prestigious Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

"My wife's good taste and your own style. When she wore shirts, sweaters and jackets bought at men's stores, people always asked where she got it. I associated her appearance with a young Katharine Hepburn - a rebel girl on a horse with hair flying in the wind. I designed shirts for her."

In 1974, Paramount Studios invited Ralph Lauren to design all men's suits for the film “The Great Gatsby” by Jack Clayton. In the same year, the designer released a line sportswear"CHAPS by Ralph" and the "Ralf" collection of men's and women's glasses.

“My clothes are a vision of what I believe in. Someone once told me that I was a writer. It's true - I write through my clothes. She embodies a story, not just clothes."

In 1976, Ralph Lauren received the Coty Awards for men's and women's clothing. On next year he received the same award in the “Women’s Clothing” category.

In 1978, Ralph Lauren released the first fragrances - “Polo” for men, which became a legendary fragrance, and “Tuxedo” and “Lauren” for women. In the same year, the designer created a collection of men's and women's clothing“Western wear”, which featured fringed leather jackets, ranch jackets, Cossack boots, etc. New models marked the beginning of the world fashion for the style of the Wild West. At the same time, Ralph Lauren created a line of children's clothing for boys, and later for girls and babies.

“When we had two sons, my wife returned home from the store and said that she couldn’t find any children’s shirts made of pure cotton. All the clothes were not polyester enough High Quality. Then I started making clothes for children. Everything I do is a reflection of my life. I am attached to my family."

In 1979, Ralph Lauren released the fragrance Chaps. In addition, he created advertising campaigns, which express the brand's philosophy: individual items of clothing are not as important as the lifestyle and world they reflect.

80s

In the 1980s, the fashion for Western clothing, introduced by Ralph Lauren, became ubiquitous. He goes down in fashion history as the designer who “discovered America to America.” In this decade, Ralph Lauren was the first clothing designer to release a line of furniture and home accessories.

In 1980, Ralph Lauren created his first collection of lingerie and leather goods.

In 1981, Polo Fashion opened a store in London.

In 1983, Ralph Lauren released a line of furniture and home accessories.

In 1984, the designer opened his flagship store, Polo Ralph Lauren.

In 1986, Ralph Lauren received the CFDA Designer of the Year Award for the first time, which he subsequently won twice.

90s

In 1990, Ralph Lauren received the FiFi "Fragrance Star of the Year" award for the women's perfume "Safari Ralph Lauren", in addition to which the designer created a full range of accessories and home goods.

In 1992, Ralph Lauren was awarded the Lifetume Achevement Award by the US Design Council. In the same year, the men's perfume "Safari Ralph Lauren" received the FiFi "Fragrance - Star of the Year" award.

In 1995, Ralph Lauren received the CFDA Award for the second time and the title of “Designer of the Year.”

In 1996, the designer’s achievements were awarded the CFDA Designer of the Year Award for the third time. In the same year, he was awarded the FiFi Award for the best national advertising campaign for the women's fragrance "Ralph Lauren Polo Sport".

Since 1997, shares of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation company appeared on the stock exchange, and a little later the organization acquired the Club Monaco brand. In the same year, Ralph Lauren launched the Polo.com website, where the brand's men's clothing was presented.

“Our goal now is to stay abreast of all trends, not to lose enthusiasm, and to maintain the image of a modern brand that is open to everything new.”

In 1998, the Ralph Lauren Romance perfume received the FiFi Award “Fragrance Star of the Year” and “Best National Advertising Campaign”. In the same year, an online store was opened on Polo.com. Later, the company launched Runway.Polo.com, where men's and women's collections were presented.

In 1999, the men's perfume "Ralph Lauren Romance" was awarded the FiFi Award "Fragrance - Star of the Year" and "Best National Advertising Campaign".

2000s

In 2002, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation launched the website RLHome.Polo.com. In the same year, Ralph Lauren opened his first showroom in New York, where he presented the Ralph Lauren clothing line, as well as a personalized children's clothing boutique, Polo.

In 2003, Polo.com introduced a service in the “Create your own” section that allowed customers to create their own polo shirt design. To do this, a section has been opened on the site inviting users to act as designers. In the same year, the local website Global.Polo.com was launched.

In 2005, Ralph Lauren released the book-album "Collection Diaries", which tells about the release of the latest autumn line of women's clothing.

In 2006, Ralph Lauren announced that he would no longer use real fur in his collections. That same year, the designer signed a contract to design uniforms for the Wimbledon tournament. At the end of the year, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation entered the Fortune 1000 list. At the same time, the first store appeared in Tokyo, the opening of which was timed to coincide with the release of a limited collection of exclusive accessories.

In 2007, Ralph Lauren received the title of "Fashion Legend" from the Council of Fashion Designers of the United States. In the same year, the brand's first boutique opened in Moscow.

“Opening a store in Moscow is more than just the implementation of company strategies. Opportunity to meet new culture brings us real joy."

Ralph Lauren became the official designer of the American team at the Beijing Olympics. The basis of the athletes' uniform was the legendary polo shirts made in the colors of the American flag.

In 2009, the Ralph Lauren company launched new project for children “Draw Your Own Polo”, where they were asked to paint a white polo shirt themselves.

In 2010, Ralph Lauren was awarded the French Legion of Honor. The famous fashion designer received the award from the hands of French President Nicolas Sarkozy himself.

In 2011, the American magazine Forbes ranked Ralph Lauren as the 173rd richest person in the world. His fortune at that time was estimated at $5.8 billion.

Family

Ralph Lauren met his future wife Ricky Anne Low-Beer back in student years. By now they have been married for more than 40 years. The designer has three children. The eldest Andrew works in television. Middle son David serves as senior vice president of advertising and marketing at his father's company. Daughter Dylan is the owner of Dylan's Candy Bar in Manhattan.

Life style

Ralph Lauren owns a 17,000-acre ranch in the US state of Colorado, an estate in Bedford, houses in Jamaica and Long Island in New York, and an apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. He is one of the world's largest collectors of vintage cars. His collection is valued at more than $100 million. His collection includes a 1929 Bentley, a 1937 Alfa Romeo, a 1938 Bugatti, a 1962 Ferrari, and others. His collection of cars has been repeatedly exhibited in museums, in particular at the Boston Museum of Art.

The designer is a member of several animal welfare organizations. In addition, Ralph Lauren collects expensive watches.

“Watches are multifaceted: they tell time, they express style, they stay with you throughout your life, they can be passed on by inheritance.”

Interview with Oprah Winfrey

In 2011, Ralph Lauren gave his first interview in 20 years on Oprah Winfrey's talk show.

Oprah: — About five years ago (editor’s note, i.e. around 1997) I was shopping in Capri, Italy, and it dawned on me: all the men around were wearing polo shirts. Then I thought: “Ralph is cool!”

R.L.:- When I was in Capri 5 years ago, I said to myself: “I can’t believe that polo shirts are still popular.” It even discouraged me a little. I imagined how in the future children would also wear polos and brag: “Look, I have six of them - one of each color.” It is interesting to watch how they penetrate into all areas of life - there is some kind of magic in it.

Oprah: - And what is this magic?

R.L.:— On the one hand, everyone wants to wear polo shirts, on the other hand, these are just multi-colored shirts!

Oprah: “It’s great when you walk into a room and meet someone who looks special and you can exclaim, “She’s really Ralph Lauren!” You took an ordinary shirt and turned it into a lifestyle! How do you do it?

R.L.:- I don’t know myself. I started by making ties, shirts came later. Over time, my ties began to sell and people started talking about them. That's when I started creating other things. My symbol has always been the polo player, because I love sports, and polo is very stylish look sports

Oprah: — But you yourself have never played polo.

R.L.:— No, I haven’t played, but I would like to. My clothes match my mood and style - for example, tweed jackets. The fact is that I create things that I myself would like to have.

Oprah:— Was your dream to create such a powerful empire?

Oprah: - I adore you for this! I had a similar moment when the director asked me to change my name to Susie. I replied: “I will keep my name.”

R.L.:- Isn't that great? The same day I left Bloomingdale's, I told my coworkers what happened. And they said to me, “Ralph, who cares if you change your ties?” But I was adamant. “No,” I said, “I won’t do that!” and continued to sell his ties in other stores. Six months later, Bloomingdale's contacted me again. “We want to fill a whole display case with your ties,” they said.

Oprah:- But you might not have waited for this call.

R.L.:- I could. And then my business would have taken a different path.

Oprah: — Do you want to say that awareness of who you are is decisive in business?

R.L.:-Yes.

Oprah: — When I taught at High school Kellogg Graduate School of Management, I told students that knowing who you are and what you do for the world is the foundation of success.

R.L.:“The question is: “Why do you know who you are?” Once upon a time I was just a child with good feeling taste and...

Oprah:— As a child, did you dress better than other kids at school?

R.L.:— I was very interested in different clothes, but I didn’t have the money to buy it. When I'm in Once again I got my older brother’s “cast-offs,” I couldn’t contain my emotions and exclaimed: “I need my own clothes!” And these emotions later turned into something amazing.

Oprah: — What you do, “beyond” clothes, is life. That's how I understand it.

R.L.:- That's right. We've all probably seen Cary Grant or Fred Astaire with his closet and boots lined up and thought, "Oh, that's amazing!" As a child, I shared a closet with my brothers and sometimes I couldn’t even find my clothes in it. One day, while visiting a friend, I saw his closet and thought: “Oh my God, he even has his own place for a shoe horn!” And these little things make you think: “Can this happen to me?”

Oprah: —So how did you create this lifestyle through your clothes?

R.L.:- It happened gradually. I always saw the image that I was trying to create - after all, I stuck to it in my clothes. In the fifties, when I was growing up, it was something like the Ivy League (an association of expensive private colleges).

Oprah: — Brooks Brothers (one of the oldest men's clothing brands in the USA).

R.L.:- Yes, Brooks Brothers were important to me - I worked there when I was 24. But I got bored with them. One day, as I was leaving Brooks Brothers, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., a 1930s movie star in his 50s, walked past me wearing a double-breasted suit and a collared shirt. “He looks incredibly cool,” I thought at that moment. And then it dawned on me: I paid attention to a man who was noticeably older, and not his own age, because he looked so representative like no one else around. Back then, everyone wore very ordinary clothes - button-down shirts, skinny ties. I wanted a turn-down collar, a wide tie and a fitted suit. At that time, such clothes could not be found, so I created them myself - step by step, detail by detail. One businessman offered to loan me $50,000 if I agreed to work for him. I offered him a partnership if he would invest money. That's what he did - I started working on costumes and, of course, they started selling.

Oprah: “So it was a conscious decision to sell the American dream?”

R.L.:“I didn’t have a pre-developed plan. When you go to the movies and watch his or her life or a congressman appears in public in stylish suit– this is stored in memory. I love Cary Grant because I love his roles. I tell myself: “I want to be this guy!” - cheerful, sweet and also a good athlete. I don't need a focus group to find out what people want. I'm feeling it.

Oprah: — I keep repeating that focus groups are not needed.

R.L.:“You know, what should touch people’s hearts should first of all touch you.” As a teenager, I worked at night and studied during the day. I know what it's like to want to buy a decent suit and not be able to do so. I saved money to buy the best suit I could afford. I always want the best and in the end I get it.

Oprah: — After 35 years in business, how do you continue to create new things every season?

R.L.:- This is a question that I never stop asking myself. I just feel the pulse of the world and I have my own style. I don't want to be anyone else.

Oprah: “This is a deeply spiritual statement.”

R.L.:— I consider myself a spiritual person. To create, you must be able to feel. Sinatra's song "My way" has long been a cliché, but it captures my essence. What I'm most proud of is that I entered the business on my own terms. I never betrayed myself and continued to walk in a straight line even when people said: “Give up, give it up!” There was a moment when things got really bad - my suits literally didn’t fit and the money was quickly running out. When I was young, I asked a friend to take care of my finances and he couldn’t handle it—the bills weren’t being paid. People told me: "Mr. Laurent, my check never arrived." I remember being afraid that I would lose everything. The saddest thing was the thought that one day I would call my father and say: “Dad, I lost everything.” That's what I was worried about—disappointing my father. He was so proud that I was doing exactly what I wanted. So I put in every last penny I had and made it through, I made it!

Oprah: — Do you surround yourself with people who share your point of view?

R.L.:“I try to choose people who love and believe in what I do—and people I respect because they do things that I don’t do.”

Oprah: — Despite all your achievements, you seem like such an ordinary, normal person.

R.L.:“I worked all my life and my parents gave me the right education.

Oprah: — Why are other designers so arrogant?

R.L.:“They are not arrogant, they are very insecure.” If you talk to them one on one, they seem to be very nice and sensitive people. Many of them were not rich from birth. They worked the same way as me. I didn't like the whole fashion world, my idols were Gene F. Kennedy and James Stewart. I wanted to be a movie star, a cool guy. I wanted to go on dates. I wanted to be honest and do the right thing. I didn't want to be pushed around and always stood my ground.

Oprah: — How did you instill these values ​​in your children, who grew up surrounded by everything they could want?

R.L.:“My wife and I didn’t have any special formula. Perhaps we were just lucky. My wife, very sociable, came from Vienna. She was never particularly interested in fashion. She attended Columbia University and within a few years became a therapist. Our children saw that their parents' lifestyle was quite modest.
My children and I had a normal lifestyle. My job is my job and yes, they had things that other kids didn't have. But they knew what my wife and I were worth - we always instilled in our children the right system values. It had nothing to do with poverty or wealth. Early success made me realize what is most important in life. I loved my job. Did I want things I never had? I wanted to. Did I dream of such a lifestyle? Certainly. Almost everyone has such dreams - good house, swimming pool... Did I deny my family this? No. Did I cheat on myself for something more? Never. I've always been myself.

Oprah: — Describing your worldview, how do you stay in such a close relationship with a woman who walks into your store to buy a pair of chinos?

R.L.:“I love my life and don’t want to lose what I have.” I like a challenge. I am also a person of mood. Why do I choose ruffles one season and sleek whites the next? Because I feel when something is enough. After black season, I might go to Europe, see a floral print and decide that flowers are going to be the trend for spring. I have and real life— I have been living with my wife for many years and watching her. When she gets ready to go somewhere, she asks: “Should I wear this?” And I answer not as a fashion guru, but as a man who wants the woman next to him to look beautiful.
I don't like it when a woman looks like a fashion victim. Many people think that if the trend of the season is a mini, they must wear a mini. If you don't have stunning legs, you can always find an alternative. I feel like I'm always talking to the customer, as if I'm sitting next to him. I'm afraid you'll walk into the store and say, "Ralph's doesn't have that anymore, I don't like his collection this year." That's why I always check myself, “Am I trendy? I hope you didn’t make the wrong choice, Ralph.” I'm not always right.

Oprah:- Well, I never get rid of anything I bought from you - I just can’t. I even keep those white suede shoes.

R.L.:“I never throw anything away either.” There is nothing wrong. Old models only look better with age. So they usually ask: “Where did you get this?” about things that are no longer produced and therefore become more valuable. You can only throw away those things that do not cause envy.

Oprah:— Do you wear only your own clothes?

R.L.:- No, not only. But I create what I love, so 90 percent of my items are from my brand. If I stop liking my things, it will be terrible.

Oprah: — Does your family only wear Ralph Lauren clothes?

R.L.:- They only wear my clothes, but this, of course, is not a rule or law. Believe it or not, when my daughter, Dylan, was younger, I told her, “Go to my store and pick out a couple of sweaters.” To which she answered me: “Dad, I won’t wear cashmere, it’s too expensive!”

Oprah: — Have you had a hand in every item of your brand?

R.L.:-Yes.

Oprah:- And even my red leather shoes?

R.L.:- Certainly. Is every idea my own? No. I have a team, but their meetings do not take place without my participation. I love the feeling you get when you do something you haven't done before.

Oprah: — When creating your own dynasty, what would you consider the most important?

R.L.:“The most important thing for me is to feel good.” I work a lot. When they told me: “Take care of your health,” I laughed because I was still too young (and naive). Now I know what illness is and what it means to be cut off from the world when you are in the hospital.

Oprah: — After you suffered a brain tumor, did anything change?

R.L.:- Yes, it was one of the most terrible things I've ever had to go through. I was working on a show collection when the doctor said to me, looking at the x-ray, "Ralph, I'm afraid you'll need surgery." Is it possible to hear anything worse? Apart from cancer, brain tumor is the worst. I was only over forty and I didn’t understand where it came from. It was the scariest moment of my life and I went through it alone. I didn't tell the kids until I went to the hospital. Only my wife and brother knew.

Oprah:“I understand that now you thought that anything could happen now.”

R.L.:- Right. As a child, you think that you can jump out of the window and everything will be okay. But when you get older, you realize: “Wait, I can’t fly!”

Oprah: — After an illness, how do you decide what to devote your time, energy and money to?

R.L.:— When I left the hospital, I met an amazing woman - Nina Hyde, an editor in Washington, D.C., who had breast cancer. “You know, Ralph,” she told me, “you do such wonderful things for people, why don’t you take care of yourself at all?” So I turned to fashion designers with the words: “Let's take care of breast cancer” - and we raised money for the Nina Hyde Center in Washington.

Oprah: — So the tumor affected your attitude towards something?

R.L.:— Yes, in this regard I have become more emotional.

Oprah: “Aren’t you building a center in Harlem?”

R.L.:- Yes, I wanted to do something else and went to Sloan-Kettering (the main cancer hospital in New York). One of the doctors surprised me by saying, “Many women are afraid to leave Harlem when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. They just won’t go to Sloan-Kettering because they’re afraid of it.” I remembered how panicked my mother was when she discovered a lump in her breast. They didn't know who to talk to or where to go. The world seems so small when there is no choice and no one to consult with. When you see human suffering, you cannot remain indifferent. This center will help patients with any type of cancer receive treatment.

Oprah:— What will the name of your center be?

R.L.:— The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, it will open in the spring at the intersection of 124th Street and Madison Avenue.

Oprah: - This is amazing, Ralph. Looking back, do you believe that you lived such a life?

R.L.:-I do not believe. Looking back, I say to myself, “This is great!” But when you devote yourself entirely to work, you do not exist outside of work. It doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor, there is always something to worry about.

Oprah: -I see that you are connected with people, just as I am connected with my audience.

R.L.:- Yes, I always said that. Sometimes, when I walk into one of my stores and look at the shelves, I say to myself “yes, this is great, I would buy this.” But sometimes I go in and look at the mannequins and racks and realize that I wouldn’t buy anything. When a customer walks into a store, she is looking for inspiration. That's why I'm open to people, I care about what they need and who they are. Where do they go on vacation? Who are their families? What are they worth?
I have lived enough to know what it is to dream and not have. The most important thing is to wake up in the morning and feel good - no matter whether you are rich or not.

Oprah: - But now you no longer wonder what it means to be rich.

R.L.:“I recently talked to Donna Karan and she said, “You know, Ralph, I still don’t feel rich.”

Oprah: - Do you feel that way too?

R.L.:“I’m a little embarrassed by this - people look at you differently.” You turn into a rich guy for them own home. I wouldn't trade my life for anything, but sometimes I feel a disconnect between myself and the people I work with. They think, “If you are rich, you have no problems.”

Oprah: — I saw an interview that you gave at the age of 26 and then you said “I always wanted to be special.”

R.L.:- And now I want it.

Oprah: “But this leads to loneliness.”

R.L.:- Well, I don’t want to be a loser, I want to say something, do something so that my voice is heard.

Oprah: — There is a wonderful line in East of Eden where Steinbeck writes, “Will liked to live so that no one could blame him and do what was necessary to live as ordinary people" It amazed me because it made me realize that if you want to be extraordinary, you can't be like the majority.

R.L.:-Really. However, I have seen a lot of “bad” people succeed. And you don't want the same thing as them, because they sold their souls.

Oprah:— They always say about you that you “kept your soul.”

R.L.:— I enjoy what I do and don’t want to lose it.

Oprah: — As far as I know, you used to be Ralph Lifshitz. How did you come to Lauren?

R.L.:- In my real name the word “shit” is present; as a child I was often laughed at because of this. It was cruel. So I decided to change my last name. But people still asked: “Did you change your last name because you don’t want to be Jewish?”, to which I answered: “That’s not the point.” And there were people who believed that if I was a Jew, then I had no right to create such neat clothes. Harvard, Princeton, Yale, "how can I like all these things?"

Oprah: — Why did you choose the surname Lauren?

R.L.:“My cousins ​​in California changed their last name to Lawrence.” And I thought, “I’ll find a nice last name for myself.” I was 16 and then I was not yet a designer. This had nothing to do with Judaism, I continued to be proud of it.

Oprah:- Yes, Lifshitz - it sounds a little hard. I don’t know if I would buy towels from Lifshits...

R.L.:- If everything were different, would I change my last name today? Not sure…

Oprah: — Do you still celebrate Jewish holidays and honor traditions?

R.L.:- Of course. I'm proud of my history. Although there are always people who look at me disdainfully.

Oprah: — Many people call you shy. Do you consider yourself one?

R.L.:— I'm not a big fan of cocktail parties. I can network and talk to anyone about anything because it's real communication. Not stupid chatter. If the conversation turns to a familiar topic, I will have something to say. If I know little about the topic, I will be laconic. What I admire in others and what I lack is education. I wish I could speak more languages, I wish I could read more, but I was so busy trying to be something that I missed out on a lot.

Oprah: -Have you graduated from college?

R.L.:- No, I didn’t finish it.

Oprah:- Would you like to do this?

R.L.:“I don’t think I would have learned much after school.” In college, I had an A (A - the highest grade) in psychology and a C (D) in economics.

Oprah: - And now you are Ralph Lauren.

R.L.:— I always felt how to communicate with people. I talked to my doorman, I talked to everyone I work with. And he enjoyed it. I like to be a part real life. I like dreams. I like the glamour. I like it when people invite me somewhere. But that doesn't mean I go everywhere I'm invited - sometimes I'd rather just eat a hamburger or go to the movies.

Oprah: — As a child, you wanted to be a basketball player. Is your current life better than your basketball career?

R.L.:- Yes. As a child, I wanted to be many things. I grew up in the Bronx, in a house next to a schoolyard. My whole life was playing basketball and stickball - we used a broom as a bat.

Oprah: — Was it such hockey for the poor?

R.L.:“It was poor man's baseball.” I didn't have a bicycle or a baseball glove. Did I want them? Well, yes. But I knew my parents wouldn't be able to afford it. And this convinced me that I need to achieve everything on my own. I worked for my father - carried his bags or helped him draw - just to save money. Things became more valuable to me, I learned to appreciate any purchase.

Oprah: — And the last question: what are you planning next?

R.L.:— I like competitions. This year I was in Milan, in the center of Armani, Prada and Gucci and organized a show there men's collection. I haven’t had a “men’s” show for over 25 years. It was great - they didn't know until the very end what would be the hit of the collection. Did I make money from this? No. But I enjoyed it. I built a ten billion dollar empire out of a tie. But I still wonder, “What more can I do? How far can I go? Do I have anything to say? No matter what I do, I still have something to say and something to believe. And this also applies to my clothes. It's incredibly rewarding to create your own style. That's what gives me greatest joy– what I do, I do myself.

Celebrity biographies

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14.10.14 17:18

His capital is estimated at billions of dollars, and his collection of cars would be an honor even for a fantastically rich Arab sheikh. Coming from a semi-poor Jewish family with Belarusian roots, he managed to reach unimaginable heights in the “land of great opportunities,” America.

Biography of Ralph Lauren

From an immigrant family

One of the most famous US fashion designers, Ralph Lauren, celebrated his 75th birthday on October 14, 2014. Sometime in the first quarter of the twentieth century, his parents moved to New York. Frank Livshits and his future wife Frida hoped that their children would have a good time in America.

He got a job as a painter and worked all day to feed his family, and it was quite large - Belarusian immigrants had four children. And gradually the tiny apartment in the Bronx became more and more crowded: one room for six.

Beautiful dreams

This did not stop little Ralph from dreaming about a fabulous future. The dream of becoming a successful athlete or actor was born when he went to visit a school friend. Then he saw an incredible abundance of clothes and shoes, stored not in the closet, but in a separate room - the dressing room, and decided that he would definitely arrange something similar in his house (someday, having achieved success). Ralph was already attracted to well-dressed people, so he saved every cent given to him, and by his 12th birthday he was able to dress up in an elegant three-piece suit. This was his first major purchase.

When Ralph turned 16, he decided to change his last name and became Lauren. After graduating from high school, he studied economics in college, and two years later he enlisted in the army and wore the uniform until 1964.

Passion for... ties

Having matured after two years of service, Lauren began his career as a sales assistant, and then became an employee of the Rivetz & Co company, which specialized in ties. They developed the models themselves and then sold them. Lauren tried to make his suggestions in the design of these products, but they did not listen to him. And in vain!

Soon the young man organized his own small company for the production of ties. He supplied them to small shops, and then began to collaborate with large stores.

Sportswear and retro style

The aspiring fashion designer was helped by businessman Norman Hilton, who invested money in Ralph’s company. Now he had his own shop, where he sold his own products. He called his brand “Polo”, and used a polo rider as a logo.

At the age of 29, he managed to open a department in the luxury Bloomingdale's store, and then a boutique in Beverly Hills. In 1971, the first collection of women's clothing was released, released under the name of the debut designer.

His “trick” was men’s and women’s (but made in a masculine style) sports shirts of different colors.

The fact that he was commissioned to design costumes in a “retro” style for the next film adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” (1974) spoke of the growing popularity of the Ralph Lauren brand. His name was not in the credits (Ralph did not work alone), but the costumes won an Oscar, and Tioni Aldridge received the award.

Western style

4 years later, everyone was amazed by the designer’s unusual collection in the spirit of the Wild West (“Western wear”). He introduced the fashion for tall “Cossack” boots, leather skirts, and fringe.

At the same time, the master began producing bed linen and household utensils that create comfort, which also brought in considerable income.

The first major award was presented to Lauren in 1986 - the American Council of Designers recognized the merits of his colleague. In 2007, he again received this award for his men's collection.

Personal life of Ralph Lauren

Animal advocate, collector, wonderful husband and father

He has not used fur in his products for a long time - he supports animal defenders.

Since 2008, it has been Ralph's corporation that has been dressing the national Olympic team.

His fortune has exceeded 7 billion dollars, and Lauren is one of the richest people on the planet. Therefore he can afford quite expensive pleasure– look for and buy rare cars. His collection has won prizes at exhibitions and auto parties more than once and is estimated at $50 million. Ralph's pride is the Bugatti 57SC Atlantic retro car, which cost the fashion maestro 40 million.

With my future wife Ralph met by chance - he came to see the doctor, and she was sitting in the waiting room - the girl of his dreams, Ricky. They got married at the end of December 1964, and two sons were born to them one after the other.

Andrew is now 46 years old, he starred in several films, then became a producer. And 44-year-old David - right hand father, Lauren Bush recently became his wife (by the way, the niece of the 43rd US president).

Ralph and Ricky's daughter, Dylan, owns a chic candy store; she herself claims that this paradise for sweet tooths is the largest on the planet.

DNA: The brand became famous for its shirts, polos, leather jackets, skirts and boots in country style. Once upon a time, Ralph Lauren, when launching his brand, wanted it to be associated with conservative American aristocrats who lived in luxurious cottages outside the city. Although they themselves, even going down to breakfast in suits, believed that Lauren was “insulting” them by making the image of an aristocrat accessible to everyone. It was a special luxury - no flashy decorations or full skirts, only beige trousers at the waist, belted with a brown leather belt, dazzling White shirt, oversized sweater or a jacket, jockey boots and a silk scarf.

Relevance: the image once created by Ralph Lauren is still relevant today. We recommend searching the Internet for old advertising campaigns of the brand – they are inspiring even in the 21st century. What Ralph Lauren does today, however, is essentially mass market. This is basically basic clothing– monochrome and, as they say, “goes with everything.” The exception is the Ralph Lauren Collection line. The price for trousers from this line can reach 1.5 thousand dollars, and for a cashmere jacket you will have to pay 3.5 thousand dollars. But the items in this line are as close as possible to original style brands.

Price policy: in the brand’s more affordable lines, a dress or shirt can be purchased for $150, jeans for $200, and a jacket for $250.

Story Ralph Lauren, the son of Jewish emigrants from Belarus who moved to the States, is classic story about realizing the "American Dream". As a child, Ralph lived quite modestly; he did not receive any special education in the field of fashion - he studied economics, but never graduated from college. Instead, he served two years in the U.S. Army, got married, and took a job as a salesman at Brooks Brothers. At the same time, he began to sew ties - an order of magnitude wider than was customary to wear at that time - and sell them at Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus. The product turned out to be in demand, and in 1967 Ralph decided to take out a loan of 50 thousand dollars and establish his own brand.

He initially decided to focus on polo (meaning the sport) as the primary part of the brand's attributes. The logo in the form of a polo player was intended to evoke associations with the life of the “chosen ones,” because not everyone could afford this sport at that time. And it worked - the brand instantly became popular. Ralph Lauren was generally an innovator - in addition to popularizing polo shirts and wide ties, he was the first to produce Women's shirts similar to men's, mass produce clothing for the home, and was also one of the first to launch a website for his brand. Gradually, by the mid-1980s, Lauren moved into "full lifestyle marketing," launching into renovation materials, home textiles, and design products. In 2003, a service appeared on the Ralph Lauren page that allowed you to create your own shirt design based on a basic model - and then not all brands even had their own online store. Ralph Lauren's popularity peaked in the 1980s.

The main thing about the Ralph Lauren store: the best things with prices, store addresses and opening hours, official website and editorial review.