Vital Stats
- Born Ralph Lifshitz, October 14, 1939.
- Studied business at Baruch College.
- Served in the U.S. Army from 1962-4.
- Married Ricky Low-Beer in 1968.
- Three children
Resume
- Ralph Lauren launched Polo ties in 1967, menswear followed the next year; womenswear debuted in 1971.
- The iconic mesh polo shirt is born in 1972.
- Coty Award for Menswear in 1970, Hall of Fame in 1976, Womenswear in 1976, Hall of Fame, Womenswear in 1977; CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992; CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, 1996.
Trademark Design
- Classic American sportswear.
What You Might Not Know About Ralph Lauren
- The famous polo player emblem originated on the cuffs on Ralph Lauren's women's tailored shirts.
- In 1977, Woody Allen and Diane Keaton both wear Ralph Lauren in the movie "Annie Hall" and it kicks off a fashion trend of menswear for women.
- Ralph Lauren became the first designer to launch a complete home collection, in 1983, capturing the essence of the "lifestyle designer."
- His philanthropic work includes his support of breast cancer research, from which he received the Humanitarian Award from Princess Diana in 1996 from the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research.