Ralph Lauren (born 1939, the Bronx, New York) never studied fashion. He sold wide neckties under the name Polo in 1967 and built from them the most complete lifestyle brand in American fashion: the polo shirt, the tweed jacket, the cable-knit sweater, the cowboy boot and the safari dress, all wrapped in a story of country houses, ranches and old Hollywood. He dressed Robert Redford for The Great Gatsby, influenced Diane Keaton’s Annie Hall look, and has outfitted the US Olympic team since 2008. His runway shows in New York are less about trends than about a world you want to live in. This guide covers his defining moments and links to every Ralph Lauren show we have reviewed.
Ralph Lauren at a glance
| Born | Ralph Lifshitz, 14 October 1939, the Bronx, New York |
| Trained | No formal fashion training; worked as a tie salesman |
| Founded | 1967, as Polo, selling neckties |
| Womenswear | From 1971 |
| Shows | New York Fashion Week |
| Lines | Ralph Lauren Collection, Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, RRL, Lauren |
| Signatures | The polo player logo, Americana, preppy tailoring, Western and ranch wear, safari, black-tie glamour |
Timeline: Ralph Lauren
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1967 | Designs wide ties under the name Polo |
| 1968 | Launches a full menswear line |
| 1971 | First womenswear, a tailored shirt with the polo player logo on the cuff |
| 1972 | The mesh polo shirt, in 24 colours |
| 1974 | Dresses the men of The Great Gatsby |
| 1977 | Annie Hall makes his menswear-for-women look famous |
| 1993–94 | Launches RRL and Purple Label |
| 2008 | Becomes the official outfitter of the US Olympic team |
| 2018 | 50th-anniversary show in Central Park (the Spring 2019 collection) |
| 2026 | Still showing every season in New York |
Every Ralph Lauren collection we have reviewed
| Season | Our take | Ayerhs review |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2005 | Steely Sophistication | Read |
| Fall 2006 | Haute Huntress | Read |
| Fall 2008 | Country Chic | Read |
| Spring 2013 | Latin Lauren | Read |
| Spring 2014 | 60s Meets Schoolgirl | Read |
| Spring 2015 | Jungle & Jewels | Read |
| Fall 2015 | Rich Americana | Read |
| Spring 2016 | Made for Maritime | Read |
| Spring 2019 | Croissants in New York (the 50th anniversary) | Read |
| Spring 2024 | Rustic Rendezvous | Read |
| Spring 2025 | Show report | Read |
| Spring 2026 | Classic Americana fantasy | Read |
| Fall 2026 | A moody country-estate texture-mania | Read |
The 5 moments that defined Ralph Lauren
1. The polo shirt, 1972
- What happened: A cotton mesh shirt with the polo player logo, launched in 24 colours.
- Why it mattered: It became one of the best-selling garments in history and the foundation of the brand. See The Polo Shirt.
2. The Great Gatsby, 1974
- What happened: Lauren’s pale linen suits and pink suit dressed Robert Redford’s Gatsby.
- Why it mattered: It fixed his image of old-money glamour in the public mind.
3. Annie Hall, 1977
- What happened: Diane Keaton’s ties, waistcoats and wide trousers, partly from Lauren’s menswear.
- Why it mattered: It made borrowed-from-the-boys dressing a mainstream look for women.
4. Spring 2019: 50 years in Central Park
- What happened: A celebration at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park with every line on the runway and a star-studded dinner after.
- Why it mattered: A survey of half a century of American style. Read our review.
5. Fall 2015: rich Americana
- What happened: Patchwork, suede, fringing and Western detail cut with evening polish.
- Why it mattered: The ranch-meets-ballroom formula at its best. Read our review.
How to spot a Ralph Lauren: signature codes
| Signature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Polo player | The embroidered horse-and-rider logo |
| Preppy | Oxford shirts, cable knits, blazers, rugby stripes |
| Western | Denim, suede, concho belts and cowboy boots, especially at RRL |
| Country house | Tweed, tartan, riding boots and hunting jackets |
| Black tie | Tuxedos for women and sleek column gowns |
| Storytelling | Every collection set in a world: a ranch, a safari, a Hamptons garden |
Keep reading on Ayerhs
- Ralph Lauren: the complete guide · A–Z of Ralph Lauren
- The Polo Shirt: from tennis to everyday fashion
- Calvin Klein: the complete guide – his great New York contemporary
Ralph Lauren: FAQ
How did Ralph Lauren start?
Selling wide neckties under the name Polo in 1967, before expanding into menswear in 1968 and womenswear in 1971.
Did Ralph Lauren design The Great Gatsby costumes?
He designed the men’s suits for the 1974 film; the overall costume design was credited to Theoni V. Aldredge.
Where does Ralph Lauren show?
In New York, during New York Fashion Week, often in his own spaces or landmark venues.
What is Ralph Lauren Purple Label?
The brand’s top men’s line, launched in the 1990s, focused on fine tailoring.
Sources: Ralph Lauren Corporation; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Ayerhs archive reviews.
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