Ralph Lauren has created a fashion, accessories and lifestyle empire which reflects an image of polo horses, classic evening gowns, cozy plaid, haute couture and sport wear as well as perfume, jewelry, children’s wear and home decor. The list is extensive; some think R.L. represents an “American” lifestyle one wishes for and some think it shows the lifestyle that one lives using clever ads. Either way, it is a worldwide phenomena and is celebrating its’ fiftieth year. This year NYFW held a gala for Ralph Lauren after his September: Spring/Summer 2019 collection. There was a party held at Central Park’s Belvedere Fountain, it was a celebrity and industry event for many years of hard work in the business. Mr. Lauren is going to be honored at Versailles Palace in December. It is a unique brand because it focuses on polo sporty, a Colorado aura, leisure lifestyle and a cosmopolitan elegance with one of the most innovative branding concepts. There are many lines from a high end men and women’s Purple label, the Blue Line, Green Line, RL/Polo, Lauren. Hand bags and shoes, French-Swiss jewelry brand, Richemont, accessories and youth wear are a huge piece of the line. They changed Polo to a diverse RL, a new Polo concept store and he owns the trendy, Club Monaco. Not to forget, the accessories, perfume, children and home decor branches. A virtual like avatar coordinates; offering a style and price point for a wide demographic. Lauren’s brother, Jerry, heads up the men’s division. Ralph’s wife, Ricky, has hand bags named after her and she has written coffee table books about their life, decor and horses. The Lauren family has been featured with daughter; Dylan and her candy store. Sons; Andrew and David as well as David’s wife, Lauren Bush Lauren. Lauren B. Lauren has her Feed Line, Ralph’s nephew has his own designs and Andrew has worked in marketing for the family company. Talent runs through this blue blood veined corporation. Ralph started the Pink Pony campaign and Nina Hyde Foundation for breast cancer, supports the arts and has an antique car collection. There are three restaurants in NY, Chicago and Paris in R.L. style, adjacent to the stores. The former Rhinelander Mansion in NYC, houses the higher end designs, there is department store merchandise and some RL stores. It is amazing; Lauren went from studying at a yeshiva and became a tie designer for Brooks Brother’s, now, he is an iconic design force. Some of his influences are from Jamaica, Colorado, the Hamptons, NY, England and ,of course, polo. Ralph Lauren is one of the best known American fashion designers and few have clothing with a famous polo player emblem on items from t shirts to ties. Here is to another 50 plus years.
The Cosmopolitan Compact 