What is the history of the Ralph Lauren brand? A brand recognized for its iconic logo, which features a polo player on a horse. Also known for its classic and refined style, often combining elements of style preppy, as a popular trend among young people.
Ralph Lauren established itself many years ago as a recognizable luxury brand, with stores and boutiques in many countries around the world. From the very beginning, it introduced iconic wardrobe items, such as polo shirts, which are still its inseparable symbol. That is why, thanks to its tradition and excellent reputation, Ralph Lauren continues its legacy. It constantly creates high-quality products and influences world fashion with its unchanging style.
What country is Ralph Lauren from?
Ralph Lauren is an American brand, and the founder was born on October 14, 1939 in New York as Ralph Lifshitz. His parents, like the parents of the founder of the brand Chanel were immigrants. Young Ralph grew up in the Bronx, which in the 1940s was a place of intensive migration, especially of Jewish, Italian and Irish people. At a young age, he was interested in fashion, and At the age of 16, he started selling ties to his classmates.
After completing his military service, Lauren took a job as a salesman in a department store. But it was in 1967 that we can talk about the turning point in his work as a designer. It was then that he founded his own company, initially specializing in the design and sale of high-quality ties. He named his brand “Polo Ralph Lauren”. The name “Polo” in turn referred to his interest in sports, as well as to the elegance that was associated with the game of polo.
The history of the Ralph Lauren brand does not end there. Initially, the young founder focused mainly on designing ties, but quickly expanded his offer to other elements of clothing. In 1972, Ralph Lauren introduced his first collection of polo shirts, which quickly became a recognizable element of the brand. Polo shirts, V-neck sweaters, blazers, chinos, shirt dresses and many others soon became an integral part of Ralph Lauren.
The history of the Ralph Lauren brand – what is it today?
And so, thanks to the great passion and work put in, today Ralph Lauren is more than just a clothing brand. Over the years, it has managed to establish itself as a luxury brand, known for high-quality materials, careful workmanship and attention to detail. Today, Ralph Lauren also produces accessories, such as bags, shoes, belts, scarves, hats and watches. It also has a range of perfumes for men and women, including scents such as Polo Ralph Lauren and Ralph Lauren Romance.
The brand is also constantly expanding into interior design, offering collections bedding, towels, furniture, lighting and other home accessories that reflect Ralph Lauren’s signature style. Her designs themselves often draw inspiration from tradition, sports, travel and the American way of life.
When it comes to clothing, the primary inspiration attributed to the brand is preppy style, also known as school style or college style. It is a fashion trend that comes mainly from prestigious American universities. It also has a practical application, because young, wealthy Americans are often consumers of this luxury brand. Reaching for this motif is definitely something that distinguishes Ralph Lauren from others. the most expensive brands on the market.
source: mpf.gov.mv
What does the Ralph Lauren logo mean?
If you are interested in the history of the Ralph Lauren brand, you will certainly be fascinated by its iconic logo. Ralph Lauren developed his logo when he founded the brand in 1967. From the very beginning, it was supposed to reflect the style and vision of the brand and introduce its unique character to the minds of consumers. And so it did. The brand’s most famous logo shows a rider on a horse. This symbol is a reflection of sporty and elegant style, and the rider himself on the horse symbolizes tradition, high quality and prestige.
As with his clothes, Ralph Lauren drew inspiration from many sources, including the traditions and lifestyle of American elites, sports and travel. The brand’s business card was to reflect these values and become a recognizable symbol of the brand’s identity. Very quickly, the logo began to be widely used in brand designs. It appeared on clothing labels, accessories, perfumes and other products. It was also present in advertising campaigns, on packaging and in stores.
As the Ralph Lauren brand evolved, it also underwent some evolutions and had different versions. Some versions of the logo included additional elements, such as brand name lettering or graphic elements related to specific collections. But despite these minor changes, the brand logo was and still is a symbol of class, high quality and excellent taste, which have been an integral part of the Ralph Lauren identity since the very beginning.
Are Polo and Ralph the same?
Many people, including those closely associated with the brand, wonder about this question. It turns out that Polo and Ralph are two different aspects of the Ralph Lauren brand. And although they are closely related, they are not exactly the same. How does this look in practice? To understand their meaning, we will need the history of the Ralph Lauren brand, which we have already learned.
As we have already mentioned, the name “Polo” in the context of the brand refers to the inspiration that its founder drew from the game of polo. Although the sport has its roots in Central Asia, polo has found its place in American sports culture. The first clubs were founded in New York and Long Island in the 1870s. However, the sport quickly became entertainment for the rich and influential. And this happened because only people of high social status could afford expensive horses, equipment and participation in tournaments.
source: cmmodels.com
Ralph Lauren was fascinated by the polo lifestyle, and his passion for the sport had a huge impact on the design and vision of the brand. However, the Ralph Lauren brand name has evolved as the company has grown. However, the brand is now known as “Ralph Lauren”, not “Polo Ralph Lauren”, as it did in the beginning. This is the result of the brand’s expansion into many other areas, apart from sportswear. The Ralph Lauren brand now includes a variety of product lines, such as men’s, women’s, children’s clothing, accessories, fragrances, home furnishings and many others.
The history of the Ralph Lauren brand does not end with products!
Many people do not know this, but the Ralph Lauren brand’s activity is not limited only to the trade of products. The company is also involved in various social, cultural and philanthropic initiatives. We are talking about, among others, Ralph Lauren Foundation, established to support initiatives related to education, healthcare and culture. The foundation focuses on projects that have a positive impact on local communities, supporting young people, providing access to education, promoting medical research and supporting artistic activities
It is also worth mentioning Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, which is a medical facility offering comprehensive oncological care, preventive examinations and education in the fight against cancer. The company also undertakes a number of activities aimed at reducing the impact on the natural environment by promoting sustainable fashion trends and offers scholarship programs and mentoring for young designers, students and graduates of art schools. The latter aim to support talents and develop creativity in the field of fashion and design.
All these initiatives and activities show that the history of the Ralph Lauren brand is still being written and in extremely colorful colors! It is an example of a great tradition combined with a great passion for clothes and a huge inspiration for other luxury brands on the market.