Page 91 - Annual Magazine 2018
P. 91

R


 FASHION | ICONIC PERSONALITY
            Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Rueben
            Lifshitz in 1930s New York, changing his
            last name to Lauren when he was just a
            teenager.

            A hard worker with a vision, he took
            business classes at night school, and worked
            in sales by day, designing his own necktie
            collection at the age of 28.
            These were sold under the name Polo, and
            were followed soon after by a menswear
            collection, and a store in New York City’s
            Bloomingdale’s department store.

            Since its inception, the Polo brand has been
            characterized by a unique blend of English
            aristocracy and sporty American East Coast
            elite.
                                                         Ralph Lauren Omotesando shop in Shibuya ward in Tokyo / Shutterstock.com

            “WE DON’T ONLY SELL CLOTHES,
            WE ARE SELLING A DREAM AND A VISION.”
            Over the last 47 years, the chic, preppy look of   acumen, has turned Ralph Lauren into a multi-  Designers of  America (CFDA)  award for
            Ralph Lauren’s designer clothing collection has   billion-dollar global lifestyle brand.   Lifetime Achievement in 1991, Womenswear
            expanded  to include  sportswear, casual wear,                        Designer of the Year in 1995 and Menswear
            and home furnishings under the brands Ralph   The designer has earned a number of accolades   Designer of the Year in both 1996 and 2007,
            Lauren Home, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Polo   throughout his glittering career, including the   as well as the Fashion Legend Award in 2007.
            Sport.  Lauren  also  diversified  the  appeal  of   Chevalier  de la Légion d’Honneur (French
            his label by creating clothing and accessories   Legion of Honor) and the Key to the City   In 2015, Ralph Lauren announced that he
            at varying price points targeting a wide range   of New  York in 2010, honors which are   was stepping  down as  CEO  of  the  Ralph
            of demographics, including children’s clothing   bestowed upon distinguished persons for   Lauren Corporation, though he has remained
            and denim wear.  The innovative designer’s   their outstanding civic contributions. He   involved  as Executive  Chairman  and Chief
            fashion  flair,  as  well  as  his  keen  business   has also received the Council of Fashion   Creative Officer.
 RALPH LAUREN                                                                     SIGNATURE STYLE
 CULTURAL ICON                                                                    “I’m interested in longevity, timelessness,


                                                                                  style—not fashion.”

                                                                                  Ralph  Lauren,  never  seen  without
                                                                                  his  signature  faded  denim  jeans  and
 Fashion designer, philanthropist, and now Official Partner and Outfitter         immaculately distressed cowboy boots, is
 of the PGA of America, Ralph Lauren has become one of the most iconic            the epitome of all-American charm and
 figures in the world of fashion and beyond.                                      good taste.

                                                                                  His  first  menswear  line  in  1968  featured
                                                                                  classic tweed suits, a style which he repeated
 Story by Rachel Chrysostom                                                       in his womenswear line in 1971, adding a
                                                                                  feminine twist to the classic tailoring for
                                                                                  which he has become famous. In 1972,
                                                                                  Lauren debuted what would become his
                                                                                  most iconic piece: the mesh sport shirt in an
                                                                                  array of colors, and featuring the trademark
                                                                                  emblem of what he considered to be the
                                                                                  most aristocratic of athletes, the polo player.

                                                                                  Throughout the following decades, Ralph
                                                                                  Lauren’s  work  reflected  his  belief  in
                                                                                  longevity and timelessness and even as he
                                                                                  explored new ideas – from Southwestern
                                                                                  themed bandana prints and utility jackets in
                                                                                  zigzagging motifs, to the more rugged and
                                                                                  rustic Safari looks, he remained grounded in
                                                                                  his central focus: that of the all-American
 / Shutterstock.com                                                               classic style.
 90         A model walks the runway at Ralph Lauren during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at                           91
            Skylight Clarkson Sq in New York City / Shutterstock.com

 Aphrodite Hills Resort                                                                   “European Golf Resort of the Year 2018”
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