Lauren, Ralph

Lauren, Ralph (lôr`ən, lərĕn`), 1939–, American fashion designer, b. New York City as Ralph Lipschitz. He began his career by creating neckties under the name Polo for Beau Brummel. In 1968 he created a menswear line under the Polo name. Since then, he has branched out into tailored shirts for women, boy's clothes, and women's ready-to-wear fashions in fabrics such as English flannel, Harris tweeds, silk, and cashmere. His name also appears on such diverse products as home furnishings, tableware, and luggage. He designed the costumes for the films The Great Gatsby (1974) and Annie Hall (1977). His look is traditional, luxurious, and casual. His collections have inspired interest in the American West and American country styles.

Bibliography

See biography by M. Gross (2003).

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Lauren, Ralph

 orig. Ralph Lifshitz

(born Oct. 14, 1939, New York, N.Y., U.S.) U.S. fashion designer. Lauren grew up in the Bronx, in New York City. While working for a tie company, he was inspired to begin designing his own neckwear, and in 1967 he went into business for himself. From the inception of his brand, Lauren's creations were characterized by a moneyed style that evoked the look of English aristocracy, as adapted by the sporty, East-Coast American elite. His first menswear line in 1968 featured classic tweed suits, and his first womenswear line in 1971 continued his explorations of classic tailoring and good taste, but with a feminine twist. In 1972 Lauren debuted what would become his signature piece: the mesh sport shirt, available in a variety of colours and featuring his trademark emblem, the polo player. Throughout the following decades he explored new ideas—including Southwestern themes and safari looks—but maintained his central focus on classic American clothing. At the turn of the 21st century, the presence of both his shops and his brand name had become global.

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Lauren, Ralph (b. Ralph Lifshitz) (1939–  ) fashion designer; born in the Bronx, N.Y. As a fledgling designer, he changed his name in the mid-1950s. He founded Polo for men (1968) and Ralph Lauren women's collections (1971). His casual, expensive ready-to-wear was distinguished by classic designs and a rich mixture of fabrics, texture, and color and won him eight Coty Awards. His clothing, housewares, and accessories brilliantly evoked old money and country house life for upwardly mobile America. He became known for expensive advertising that promoted the Lauren image as well as the products.