History of Ralph Lauren

1967 - Ralph Lauren Polo was founded when Ralph Lauren wanted to allow men to make a statement with their ties.  Unlike the skinny plain ties of the time, Ralph Lauren designed wide ties that were colorful and made of luxurious materials.  He wanted to give his brand a name that portrayed sophistication and timelessness, thus he named it after the sport of the wealthy and the royal, Polo.  He started with a menswear line and was a pioneer in his field.  He was the first to merge Classic American style with tailored look of the Europeans.  Ralph Lauren Polo was more than clothes, it was a lifestyle.

1969 - He was also the first designer that opened a shop within a shop, opening his first boutique in Bloomingdale's New York.  This was the start of his empire. 

1971 -  Polo expanded to include Women's Clothes.  The women's line introduced the world to the Polo Player emblem.  It was first used in 1971 on the cuff of women's tailored shirts.
 
1972 - The men's mesh sports shirt became part of the men's line, and has since become an American Classic.

1976 -  Lauren, who has already won numerous awards, is inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame for menswear and the following year for womenswear.
 
1978 – Polo  launches a Western Wear collection that spreads a return to American Western style throughout the world.

Around this time also, Ralph Lauren Polo begins their advertising campaigns.  Yet again they were pioneers.  Their ads contained virtually no text and concentrated on portraying a lifestyle  by grand-scale images of real situations.  They often used people who were not models and focused on celebrating every level of American life.

1983 - Lauren launches his Home Collection.  He was the first designer to offer a complete line of home products which included not only sheets, but wall coverings, furniture and even paint, yet again striving not just to sell a product but to introduce a total experience.

1986 - Lauren opens his flagship retail store in an 1890’s mansion on Madison Ave.  This store is such an amazing shopping experience that tourists come from all over the world just to experience it.

1993 - Polo expands to include a Sports line.  This was a time in American history when people were becoming more active and participating more in sports and health.  Lauren yet again tapped into this movement in American lifestyle. His sport line was the official outfitter for the American team in the America’s Cup who actually won that year.

Also around this time Ralph Lauren becomes involved in several charitable projects including raising awareness for breast cancer and an organization that serves hot meals to  HIV/ Aids  patients that cannot leave their homes.  In addition he donates 2 million dollars to Save America’s Treasures Campaign to preserve the Star-Spangled Banner.

1999 - Lauren yet again expanded his empire and opened RL Restaurant next door to his flagship store in Chicago.  Like his clothes line, the restaurant is opulent and magnificent with specially designed furniture and fixtures as well as a private collection of art.

2000 - Lauren as always wants to be part of a lifestyle and recognizes the important role the internet has taken in our lives. He opens Polo.com which is a multimedia showcase of his now World – wide empire.

2004 - Polo opened its first Rugby store Boston.  This line of clothes targeted the 18 – 25 age group with its fashion forward yet traditionally preppy designs.

2005 – Polo is made the official outfitter of the US Open through 2008.

2006 – A flagship store is opened in Tokyo which marks the beginning of a campaign to bring the same timeless, preppy designs that make up the iconic Polo brand to Japan.

The infant and children’s clothes allows parents to introduce this lifestyle of classic elegance to their kids starting from baby through adolescence.