Ralph Lauren Corporation is an American publicly traded fashion company that was founded in 1967 by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The company is headquartered in New York City, and it produces products ranging from the mid-range to the luxury segments.
They are known for the marketing and distribution of products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories, and fragrances. The company’s brands include the mid-range Chaps brand, to the sub-premium Lauren Ralph Lauren brand, to the premium Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, and Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren brands, up to the full luxury Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Ralph Lauren Collection brands.
The company’s milestones:
In 1967 – Ralph Lauren started The Ralph Lauren Corporation in 1967 with men’s ties.
In 1968 – Rawing on his interests in sports, Lauren named his first full line of menswear “Polo”. He worked out of a single “drawer” from a showroom in the Empire State Building and made deliveries to stores himself.
In 1969 – The Manhattan department store Bloomingdale’s sold Lauren’s men line exclusively. It was the first time that Bloomingdale’s had given a designer his own in-store shop.
In 1971 – Ralph Lauren Corporation launched a line of tailored shirts for women, which introduced the Polo player emblem, appearing on the shirt cuff.
In 1972 – This year marked the opening of Ralph Lauren’s store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, his first freestanding store.
In 1972 – Lauren released a short-sleeve cotton shirt in 24 colors. This design, emblazoned with the company’s famed logo—that of a polo player, became the brand’s signature look.
In 1974 – Ralph Lauren outfitted the male cast of The Great Gatsby in costumes chosen from his Polo line – a 1920s-style series of men’s suits and sweaters, except for the pink suit which Lauren designed especially for Robert Redford’s Jay Gatsby.
In 1977 – Ralph Lauren Corporation introduced a signature cotton mesh polo shirt in various colours, featuring the polo player logo on the chest.
In 1978 – The first Ralph Lauren fragrances, produced by Warner-Lauren, Ltd were launched at Bloomingdale’s. Lauren for women, and Polo the men’s cologne. This was the first time that a designer introduced two fragrances – one for men and one for women – simultaneously.
In 1981 – The company entered the European market, and went international, with the opening of the first freestanding store in New Bond Street in the West End of London, England.
In 1983 – Ralph Lauren Home debuts. It includes a wide array of offerings, from bedding to rugs and décor, designed around four signature RL motifs: Thoroughbred, New England, Jamaica, and Log Cabin.
In 1991 – Ralph receives the CFDA Liftime Achievement award.
In 1992 – Polo Sport debuts with the Stadium Collection.
In 1995 – Ralph Lauren introduces Purple Label. Inspired by the finest European tailoring, the new line embodies unprecedented levels of refinement and style. The launch campaign stars Ralph wearing a double-breasted chalk-stripe suit from the collection.
In 2000 – The company launched its website and online shop as polo.com by RL Media (a cooperation between Ralph Lauren and NBC).
In 2003 – The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care opens in New York.
In 2006 – Polo Ralph Lauren becomes the official outfitter of Wimbledon.
In 2007 – Ralph Lauren Corporation acquired the NBC share of RL Media and the website was relaunched as ralphlauren.com.
In 2008 – Polo Ralph Lauren becomes an official outfitter of Team USA.
In 2014 – Polo for Women makes a splash in Central Park.
In 2017 – Ralph welcomes the fashion world to his private garage for his fall 2017 Runway Show.
According to en.wikipedia.org; ralphlauren.com. Source of photo: internet
