Designer Ralph Lauren's clothing and success story

Ralph Lauren is a famous American designer, whose style is recognized as unique all over the world. His talent as a designer is well recognized in the fashion industry, not to mention the fans. The Council of Designers of the USA honored him with the title of "Fashion Legend" for his talent and creative success. And this is not one award. With all his work and life, he proved the ability of a person to achieve significant heights ...

Unlike many designers, Ralph Lauren does not have a diploma in fashion. But all of his collections can be attributed to those that are relevant for a long time. They are dominated by beauty and quality, they are luxurious and romantic, there is no cheap glamor in them. As the designer himself says: “Luxury is the ability to feel, it is an attitude towards life. This is your personal style and ability to create a world around you in which you feel good and easy. Luxury is timeless quality and elegance. "

Ralph Lauren does not sew clothes himself, but all the images in the collections are carefully thought out by him. About those who know how to sew, he says: "I do not know what they can do, but they do not know what I can do."

Looks from different collections by Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren's company does not have its own production. It works on the principle of cooperation with more than 350 manufacturers. For example, the Luxottica company makes the Ralph Lauren signature glasses, and the Richemont Group company makes the branded watches.

Biography

Ralph Lauren was born on October 14, 1939 in the New York Bronx into a Jewish family. His surname was Livshits (a fairly common surname among Jews). Father and mother were from Belarus. But they met and got married in the USA. Mother, Frida Kotlyar, was from Grodno, and father, Frank Livshits, was from Pinsk. The family had four children. They all had to huddle in a one-room apartment, because while the children were small, their father worked alone, and they did not have the funds to buy a house. My father had a hard job painting buildings. Ralph's mother was engaged in raising children. By chance, next to them lived the future famous designer Calvin Klein.

Ralph was very fond of sports, he wanted to become a professional basketball player, and of course famous. Then his desires changed, a dream appeared to become an actor, and no less, as a famous actor in Hollywood. But one day, and this dream went away, one might say, instantly. What happened? The Livshitsy then had only one closet, which kept clothes for all family members. But, having once visited his classmate, Ralph was surprised. He saw that that one had a separate wardrobe, where there were many shelves and compartments on which clothes and shoes were laid, and even a shoehorn had its own place!

Ralph wondered - after all, he could have all this. When he again got the rags of his older brother, he said to himself: "I need my own clothes!" He began to work. He worked at night and studied during the day, saving money to buy himself a suit. Sometimes he helped his father - carried his bags or helped him draw in order to save money. Ralph has learned to value any purchase. He didn't have much of what an ordinary boy would like to have, but he knew that his parents could not afford it. Then Ralph realized that everything needs to be achieved on their own. To become a famous actor is a very dubious prospect, but to become successful and rich you just have to want it and work hard. And at the age of 12 he buys his first suit on his own.

Ralph lived in America, classmates often laughed at his name. Ralph was hurt and even offended. He has thought more than once about changing his Jewish surname to an Americanized one.

And then the relatives of his father, who moved to California, began to be called Lawrences in the local manner. It was then that Ralph became Ralph Lauren in 1955.

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

In 1964, Ralph Lauren, after two years of military service, began his studies at City College in Manhattan, majoring in Economics and Business. But two years later, already in his third year, he dropped out. He was impatient to make his dreams come true as quickly as possible, because the years were already approaching thirty.

Ralph Lauren went to work as a clothing salesman at Brooks Brothers and then moved to Rivetz & Co. Here he was accepted as a tie designer. One day, after reading the novel by Francis Scott Fitzgerald "The Great Gatsby", Ralph decided to create a completely new model of a tie - a wide silk tie. He proposed to a senior colleague the idea of ​​a new tie. To which he replied that the world is not yet ready to accept ideas from Ralph Lauren. After this conversation, Ralph quit his job and began to make his own ties from various scraps and sell them. The popularity of his ties was heard and offers were received.

He took samples of his ties to the shops on his own. Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus took the ties for sale. And Ralph himself decided not to sit idly by and wait for his ties to be sold. He found an investor. It turned out to be Norman Hilton, who lent $ 50,000. Together with his older brother, Ralph opened the Polo Fashion brand and the shop of the same name. It seemed to him that the name of both the brand and the store was no less important to the business than its products.

The aristocratic sport in the name of the store, as it were, presupposed the elegance and style of the products. Although Ralph never played polo, he liked the game, because it is a very stylish sport. Ties made from luxurious materials really matched the impeccable style and were a reflection of taste. They quickly became popular. In the 60s, when all stereotypes were breaking, Ralph Lauren believed that "... people were already ready for something new and unusual." A year later, when his ties brought him his first profit, Ralph released his first collection of ready-made men's clothing Polo Ralph Lauren.

The polo player became the symbol. The brand has found its own logo. Such a beginning can be considered a classic example of good luck.

This collection included loose trousers, sleek shirts, elegant blazers and simple jackets. The clothes were designed for business Americans. The store has gained popularity among both young people and people of age. And just a few months after the first sales in Polo shirts and sweaters, you could see the most sophisticated fashionistas in New York.

Already in 1969, Ralph Lauren opened a large men's department in Bloomingdale’s New York department store. Ralph understood that all people need changes in style and appearance, but they do not know how to do it. He felt that he could do it.

But not everything went so smoothly in the company. Soon, Polo Fashion was facing bankruptcy. At this point, he was helped by investor Peter Smith, who became president of the company. In the 70s, a line of perfumes and a line of accessories was launched. Ralph Lauren began to produce sports shirts in 24 shades.

In general, the 70s were marked as years of great changes. In 1971, the first Ralph Lauren Womens wear line was launched, in which white cotton shirts, tailored to the style of men's shirts, became the main focus. And the women received them with delight. Soon, Ralph Lauren opened a boutique in Beverly Hills on the prestigious Rodeo Drive. The main principle of Ralph Lauren was quality and comfort, which have always been and are the symbols of the elite. Therefore, Ralph Lauren's clothing rapidly conquered the world.

“My wife has good taste and her own style. When she wore shirts, sweaters and jackets from men's stores, people always asked where she got it. "

In 1974 Paramount Studios hired Ralph Lauren to design the mens costumes for The Great Gatsby, Jack Clayton. "My clothes are a vision of what I believe in ... It embodies history, not just clothes."

And in the same 1974, the sports line "CHAPS by Ralph" was launched, as well as the collection of men's and women's glasses "Ralf".Sportswear was not often the subject of design interests. But when it was designed by Ralph Lauren, it began to be considered a classic.

In 1978 the first fragrances - men's “Polo” and women's “Tuxedo” and “Lauren” became popular. And in the same year, the designer creates a collection of men's and women's clothing, which was in the style of the Wild West - "Western wear". The collection consisted of fringed leather goods, Cossack boots, ranch jackets, etc. In the 80s, Western fashion by Ralph Lauren opened America to the entire fashion world.

In 1979 Ralph Lauren creates ad campaigns. “Advertising is like a movie. It is exciting, multidimensional. And if I could make the models speak, I would. "

One day, Ralph's wife said that she could not find children's cotton shirts for her sons. Ralph thought about it, and soon a line of clothes for children was created, first for boys, then for girls and babies.

He creates a collection of lingerie and leather goods, opens a store in London and a Polo Ralph Lauren store, produces a line of furniture and a line of home accessories.

“Everything I do is a reflection of my life. I am attached to my family. " Therefore, the natural continuation of the clothing collections was the designer's passion for the creation of the Home Collection - furniture, curtains, carpets, decorative fabrics, wall panels, lamps, dishes, home accessories. After all, everything that surrounds us in life should be imbued with comfort.

Each year in the life of Ralph Lauren is marked by success in creative work and new awards, as well as the opening of new lines or new stores. In 1997, the shares of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation went public. A little later, the organization acquired the Club Monaco brand, and in the same year, Ralph Lauren opened the Polo.co website, and a year later, an online store was opened on the site. He lives in step with the times. As a real businessman, he knows how to feel what the trends are today.

2000s
2002 year. Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation launched RLHome.Polo.com. Ralph Lauren opened his first showroom in New York, where Ralph Lauren clothing lines and Polo branded children's clothing boutique were presented.

2003 year. Polo.com launched a service that allowed customers to design their own polo shirt. In the same year, the local site Global.Polo.com was launched.

2005 year. Ralph Lauren has released a book-album "Collection Diaries", which features the latest fall line of women's clothing.

2006 year. The designer signed a contract to design a uniform for the Wimbledon tournament. At the end of the year, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation entered the Fortune 1000 list. The first store opens in Tokyo.

2007 year. Ralph Lauren was named Fashion Legend by the US Design Council. The first boutique of the brand was opened in Moscow.

“Opening a store in Moscow is more than just an embodiment of the company's strategies. The opportunity to get to know a new culture brings us real joy. "

Once a boy, Ralph dreamed of becoming a famous basketball player, and now he has become a famous designer of the uniform of the American team at the Beijing Olympics. He created the legendary polo shirts in the colors of the American flag.

2010 year. Ralph Lauren was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor of France.

2011. The American magazine "Forbes" placed Ralph Lauren in 173rd place in the ranking of the richest people in the world. His fortune at that time was estimated at $ 5.8 billion.

Ralph Lauren owns a 17,000-acre ranch in the US state of Colorado, houses in Jamaica and Long Island in the state of New York, an estate in Bedford, and an apartment on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue. He collects vintage cars. His collection is one of the largest. It presents cars of 1929 - "Bentley", 1937 - "Alfa Romeo" and many others. The collection has been exhibited several times in art museums. Ralph Lauren also collects watches.

Ralph Lauren is married. With Ricky Ann Lowe-Bear, he met in his student years. They have been married for over 40 years. Ricky is a general practitioner by education, graduated from Columbia University. She is very sociable, but she was not interested in fashion. And whenever he puts on some outfits, he consults with Ralph. Their lifestyle has always been rather modest.Both Ralph and his wife tried to instill in their children "... the correct system of values."

The eldest son works in television, the middle one is the vice president of advertising and marketing at Ralph Lauren's company, the daughter is the owner of the Dylan's Candy Bar in Manhattan (the father's company also has a line of sweets).

Everything that Ralph Lauren does is everything for the home and for the family.
Today, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation produces clothing, underwear, accessories, perfumes, textiles, furniture, dishes, wallpapers, as well as sweets and even products for animals. The designer is a member of several animal welfare organizations and does not use natural fur in her collections.

His brands are Ralph Lauren, Rugby, RL Childrenswear, Polo Jeans Co., RRL, RLX, Club Monaco, Chaps, Blue Label, Purple Label, Lauren, Ralph Lauren Home and others.

Here are some of Ralph Lauren's awards:

1970 year. Coty Awards for Menswear.

1976 year. Coty Awards for men and women.

1977 year. Coty Awards for Womenswear.

1986 year. CFDA Designer of the Year Award.

1990 year. FiFi Star of the Year Fragrance Award for the Safari Ralph Lauren women's perfume.

1992 year. Awarded the title "Lifetume Achevement Award".

1992 year. FiFi Star of the Year Fragrance Award for the Safari Ralph Lauren men's fragrance.

1995 year. CFDA award and the title of "Designer of the Year".

1996 year. CFDA Designer of the Year Award. FiFi Award for Best National Advertising Campaign for Ralph Lauren Polo Sport for Women.

1998 year. FiFi Star of the Year Fragrance Award and Best National Advertising Campaign for Ralph Lauren Romance.

1999 year. FiFi Star of the Year Fragrance Award and Best National Advertising Campaign for Ralph Lauren Romance for men.

2007 year. Ralph Lauren was named Fashion Legend by the US Design Council.

2010 year. Ralph Lauren was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor of France.

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

Ralph began to create things that he himself would like to have.
He entered the business on his own terms and when things went really bad, the saddest thought was the thought - to upset his father, because he was proud of him. Ralph Lauren has great respect for his parents. He believes that their merit is in his success.

Ralph wears 90% of his clothes, sometimes wears things from other brands. When creating a thing, he is guided by the basic principle - to do what can touch the hearts of people, but first of all it should touch himself. He chooses his team carefully. The ideas for new collections belong not only to Ralph, but also to his colleagues. However, the last word always remains with him.

Ralph Lauren has his own style and at the same time feels the pulse of the world, so he manages to create every season a collection that delights the public.

Ralph Lauren suffered a serious illness, then surgery. "The most important thing is to wake up in the morning and feel good - it doesn't matter if you are rich or not."

But despite his accomplishments and fame, he regrets that he lacks education. No, this is not about the fact that he once dropped out of college. "I wish I could speak multiple languages, I wish I could read more, but I was so busy trying to become someone that I missed out on a lot."

Ralph Lauren is not only a talented designer, but also a successful businessman. His brand was one of the first to sell products over the Internet. Now, as you know, many brands sell through online stores. For the first time, it was in his advertising campaigns that the QR-codes function, or Quick Response, was introduced. And his shop on Madison Avenue in New York has a touchscreen in front of the entrance, which allows you to shop at any time of the day.

The brand's philosophy, which conquered the world many years ago, continues its triumphant march today. The principles of this philosophy are eternal - to remain true to their ideals, to be independent from fashion, which should correspond to the true style. His work in all areas of activity is considered an example of the classic American style. Clothes with the Ralph Jauren brand all over the world symbolize quality, taste, style.