Early Life
Ralph Lifshitz was born in the Bronx, New York City, on October 14, 1939, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants. At the age of 16, he and his brother legally changed their last name to Lauren. He attended Baruch College but dropped out after two years.
Rise to Success
Lauren's career began in 1962 with a brief stint in the United States Army. He then worked in sales at Brooks Brothers and later for a tie company. At age 28, he launched The Ralph Lauren Corporation in 1967 with men's ties. In 1968, he created his first menswear line, which he named 'Polo'. The company expanded, opening its first freestanding store in 1972 and launching a women's line and the iconic polo shirt.
Key Business Strategies
Lauren built his brand around an aspirational lifestyle, creating a distinct aesthetic that evokes the look of the American elite. He expanded the brand to include home furnishings, fragrances, and luxury lines like Ralph Lauren Purple Label. His approach has been to create a lifestyle around his brand, making it more than just clothing.
Philanthropy
Ralph Lauren has focused a significant amount of his philanthropy to address cancer. He co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research in 1989 and the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation in 2001. The foundation supports various charitable initiatives including cancer research and a literacy program. He also supports the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem.