Ralph Lauren: The journey from tie salesman to fashion icon

Ralph Lauren, the 87-year-old American fashion designer, has built a global empire centered on the concept of the American lifestyle and timeless elegance. Born in the Bronx to immigrants, Lauren transitioned from selling ties to classmates during his school years to becoming a defining figure in 20th and 21st-century fashion.

His professional journey accelerated in the 1960s. After working at Beau Brummel Neckwear, he utilized a loan to launch his own collection of wide, handcrafted ties, defying the era's trend for narrow neckwear. He eventually acquired the rights to the name ‘Polo’ from Brooks Brothers, a brand that became synonymous with his vision of prestige and belonging.

Lauren’s success is characterized by his refusal to compromise his creative vision, such as when he declined to sell his designs under a department store's private label. His brand, Polo Fashions New York, was founded in 1968, helping to establish a ‘preppy-chic’ aesthetic that continues to influence the global fashion industry.