Polo Ralph Lauren Reynold Suede

The launch of the Ralph Lauren empire dates back to 1967. Born to a family of Jewish immigrants from Belarus, Ralph Lauren felt a passion for fashion and style from childhood. The first step in this majestic story was the creation of his original wide tie at the time when narrow ties were dominating. This piece was inspired by the luxurious style prevalent in the old Hollywood. Lauren convinced Beau Brummel to invest in his ties, which quickly became a hit.

Ralph Lauren soon expanded the entire line of menswear called Polo Ralph Lauren, as a nod to his love of the polo sport. The first Polo shop opened its doors in Bloomingdale’s in Manhattan in 1970. Riding on the successful wave, the designer shortly launched a womenswear collection and opened a store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in 1971. That same year, the iconic embroidered Polo Pony logo debuted on Ralph Lauren’s clothes.

One of the crucial years in the history of the Ralph Lauren brand is considered to be 1972, when perhaps the most famous brand’s creation — a collared polo shirt with an embroidered pony in the upper left chest — was presented to the world and soon became an icon of American style.

In 1974, Ralph Lauren designed all the men’s costumes for The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford as the main character.

In 1981, the Ralph Lauren brand went beyond the United States with the opening of its first Polo shop on Bond Street in London. It was located in the premises of a former pharmacy, which exemplifies a gentleman’s club in its style. Such design aesthetics are often found across all Ralph Lauren stores.

Flying high, the Ralph Lauren brand was increasingly spreading and growing with this reflected in the ever-growing range and new lines added. The Ralph Lauren Home segment was introduced in 1983 and the African-inspired Safari collection was launched in 1984. In 1992, the Polo Sport line, dedicated to an active lifestyle, debuted. Distinctive in its bright colours, eye-catching details and top quality, Polo Sport apparel for training has been from the very beginning one of the company’s flagship items to this day.

In 1999, Ralph Lauren took yet another strong step. It opened its first restaurant in Chicago adjacent to the biggest Ralph Lauren store. Currently, there are a total of three RL restaurants in the world – in Chicago, New York and Paris.

In over 50 years, Ralph Lauren has become one of the key players in the fashion industry synonymous to top quality and unique style. Ralph Lauren has 17 different lines under its umbrella operating in different areas – Polo Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Ralph Lauren Watches and Fine Jewelry, Double RL, Club Monaco and many others.