Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is a fashion powerhouse whose name is synonymous with class and timeless design. Design forefather of the original "power tie," Lauren actually started his multi-million dollar company designing a line of wide ties that Bloomingdale's initially refused to sell. The first designer to have his own store, Ralph Lauren is now a leading designer brand found in thousands of upscale retailers worldwide. With a net worth of a billion dollars, Lauren has come a long way from his middleclass New York upbringing.

Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in Bronx, New York. He was the youngest of four boys born into a middle class Jewish family. His sense of fashion was apparent at a young age with his desire to dress expensively and for success. Rather than attend fashion design school, Lauren, who had changed his name at sixteen, attended Baruch College to study business. He quit shy of a degree and served in the army from 1962 to 1964.

Lauren married in 1968 and the same year founded Polo Fashions. His company began with a line of men's neckties and a $50,000 loan. His business grew, but not without struggle. In the 1980s, Armani revitalized the essence of style with the Italian suit and Ralph Lauren fought back with his own line of power suits. By the 1990s, Ralph Lauren had expanded his designer label to include men's, women's, and children's clothing along with home fashions such as bedding and towels.  

Today, Polo operates close to 300 retail and outlet stores in the United States along with licensing of 100 others worldwide. Knock-off and imitation clothing has posed a problem for the company, but is being pursued through legal action. Lauren, who still controls the company, has a ranch in Colorado and homes in Jamaica and Long Island along with an estate in Bedford, New York. He is the father of three children, sons Andrew and David, and daughter, Dylan. His nephew, Greg Lauren, is an actor.

Ralph Lauren runway shows are by invitation only, with celebrities and high-impact buyers receiving preferential treatment and seating. Models Katia Kokrovea, Anja Rubik, and Caroline Winberg, among others, displayed the unveiling of the 2007 Spring Collection on the catwalk during the runway show in September of 2006. Diane Kruger was also present, sitting front row.