Ralph Lauren's name is synonymous with iconic menswear. From the polo shirt seen on everyone at some point in history to his reinterpretation of military garb, to the iconic '90s designs that made him a symbol of street aspiration. Recently, he announced he would be stepping down as CEO of his namesake company, installing Stefan Larsson as the new man-in-charge. The Internet was unsure of what to make of the corporate shift, but Larsson's pedigree is an impressive one, and under him the Ralph Lauren brand hopes to flourish.
But as one of the most well-known denizens of fashion, there are just some things about Lauren that aren't all that well-known about Ralph Lauren the man—as well as the billion dollar company he built on a foundation of dreams. What's his birth name? Did he really make a $20k bag inspired by his wife? What was his early work? All these things and more are answered as we take a look at 50 Things You Didn't Know About Ralph Lauren.
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Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Rueben Lifschitz.
Ralph's parents were Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants who moved to The Bronx.
Ralph's brother, changed their last name, not Ralph.
Ralph Lauren served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964.
Ralph Lauren got his start working for Brooks Brothers.
Lauren made his first ties out of old rags and sold them out of a drawer in the Empire State Building.
His first source of inspiration was Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Ralph Lauren's first investor was preppy clothier Norman Hilton.
A Bloomingdale's buyer once asked a young Lauren to take his name off his ties and put their private label, Sutton East, on instead.
The first women's collection for Polo Ralph Lauren was launched in 1971, in Beverly Hills, California.
Ralph Lauren outfitted Robert Redford's Jay Gatsby.
Ralph Lauren's clothes feature in Annie Hall.
Ralph Lauren's famous Polo shirts were released in 1972, and they came in 24 colors.
Ralph Lauren did not invent the polo shirt.
The Polo brand almost went bankrupt in 1972.
After spending numerous summers there since the 1970s, Ricky Lauren wrote about the history of The Hamptons.
Ralph Lauren was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
In 1989, he helped found a breast cancer research center.
The Rhinelander Mansion, home of Ralph Lauren's flagship store, is named for heiress Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo, wh
Ralph Lauren has an amazing car collection with a few that are priceless.
His collection reportedly features over 70 cars.