Ralph Lauren Corporation is an American luxury fashion product-producing corporation headquartered in New York City, New York. They produce, market, and distribute apparel, home accessories, and fragrances. The company owns the brands: Polo Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Chaps, and Club Monaco.
The company was founded in 1967 by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
Ralph Lauren Corporation History
The company was founded in 1967 with a collection consisting of men’s ties. Ralph Lauren worked for Beau Brummel, a tie manufacturer. He then persuaded the company’s president to let him start his own clothing line. He named his clothing line Polo in 1968 as he worked out of a single “drawer” from a showroom in the Empire State Building making his deliveries himself. By 1969, after getting Bloomingdale as an exclusive client, he was given an in-store shop. In 1971, he launched another clothing line of tailored shirts for women, which introduced the Polo player emblem, appearing on the shirt cuff.
Lauren would introduce a full women’s clothing line in 1972. In this same year, opened up a store along Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills, California. In 1977 Ralph Lauren Corporation introduced a signature cotton mesh Polo shirt in various colors featuring a polo player logo on the chest, the shirt became one of Ralph Lauren’s Signature styles, and the logo, the brand’s signature look. He got a role to play in the 1974 film, “The Great Gatsby”, to outfit the male characters in the film with costumes chosen from his Polo line, a 1920s-style series of men’s suits and sweaters. He ventured into fragrances in 1978. He began with fragrances produced by Warner-Lauren, Ltd, launched at Bloomingdale. He became the first designer to introduce two fragrances, one for men, and the other for women.
The company kept growing and came into the European market, and later international in 1981. This first began with the opening of a store in New Bond Street in the West End of London, England. The company launched its website and online shop in 2000 as polo.com by RL Media. Initially, RL media was jointly owned by Ralph Lauren Corporation and NBC but later, Ralph Lauren bought NBC’s share and the website was updated to ralphlauren.com. Lauren was replaced by Stefan Larsson as company CEO leaving Lauren as an executive chairman and chief creative officer. Later, Steffan retired from the position of CEO due to quarrels with Lauren. Subsequently, Ralph Lauren named Patrice Louvet President and Chief Executive Officer on the 17th of May 2017. Louvet took over on July 17, 2017.
Ralph Lauren Corporation Products
Ralph Lauren Women’s Collection and Ralph Lauren Purple Label:
This brand deals with handmade evening gowns to sportswear. It was launched in 1994 for men offers suiting, custom tailored made-to-measure suits and sportswear, as well as Benchmade footwear and made-to-order dress furnishings, accessories, and luggage.
Ralph Lauren Watches and Fine Jewelry:
As the name suggests, this brand deals with collections of jewelry. It was launched in 2009 together with Compagnie Financière Richemont SA.
Polo Ralph Lauren:
This line consists of sportswear and tailored clothing. It was launched in 1967.
Polo Sport:
A line of clothing for sports and fitness. Launched in 1992
Double RL:
Offers men a mix of selvage denim, vintage apparel, sportswear, and accessories, with roots in workwear and military gear. Launched in 1993.
Lauren Ralph Lauren:
Deals with women sportswear, denim, dresses, activewear, and accessories and footwear offered at a cheaper price point. Launched in 1996.
For men: tailored clothing, including suits, sport coats, dress shirts, dress pants, tuxedos, topcoats, and ties at a cheaper price point.
Ralph by Ralph Lauren:
Suit separates, sport coats, vests, and topcoats. This line was introduced in 1994.
Pink Pony:
Pink Pony primarily consists of women’s sportswear and accessories. This line benefits the Pink Pony Fund and other major cancer charities around the world. It was introduced in 2000.
Polo Ralph Lauren Children:
The items here include polo knit shirts and cashmere cable sweaters.
American Living:
This brand was created for JCPenney. The line now mostly consists of women’s clothes.
Ralph Lauren Home and Paint:
Has furniture, bed and bath linens, china, crystal, silver, decorative accessories and gifts, as well as lighting, fabric, wallcovering, and floorcovering. Later Paint was added onto the products of this brand. The brand was launched in 1983.
Fragrance:
Lauren fragrances for women and Polo fragrances for men. This was first introduced in 1978.
Ralph Lauren Restaurants:
First appeared in 1999, adjacent to the Ralph Lauren Chicago store on Michigan Avenue. This brand has kept growing ever since with new stores opening.