Ralph Lauren Zebra
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Late 20th Century Italian Belts
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1990s American Jackets
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21st Century and Contemporary American Jackets
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Ralph Lauren for sale on 1stDibs
To suggest that Ralph Lauren has come a long way is an understatement. From his humble beginnings as a tie salesman working out of a drawer at New York’s Empire State Building, he grew one of the world’s largest and most successful fashion empires from scratch.
For decades, Ralph Lauren’s clothing brand has blended classic, preppy Americana East Coast-style with the look of upper-crust English aristocracy. This style is the hallmark of Ralph Lauren’s design and can be seen in all facets of his brand, from its vintage apparel, accessories and jewelry to furniture and décor.
The iconic fashion designer was born Ralph Rueben Lifshitz in New York City and grew up in the Bronx. When he and his brother were in their teens, they changed their surname from Lifshitz to Lauren after being teased about it at school. Later on, Lauren took business classes at night, worked at various menswear retailers and did a stint in the U.S. Army. While working at tie manufacturer Beau Brummel, he was inspired to create his own line of ties.
In 1967, Lauren launched “Polo,” ties handmade from high-quality fabrics featuring a wide design. They were a success. Lauren sold $500,000 worth to retail giants Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Paul Stuart in his first year.
Lauren expanded his designs into clothing, with his first menswear line of classic tweed suits in 1968 and, in 1971, his first line of womenswear featuring classic feminine tailoring. Lauren’s nostalgic fashion soon captured the eye of Hollywood. He created costumes for the 1974 adaptation of The Great Gatsby and was responsible for Diane Keaton’s distinctive feminine menswear look in 1977’s Annie Hall. Ralph Lauren’s designs have since garnered national and international acclaim and recognition — from Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic pink 1999 Oscars dress to becoming the official outfitter of Team USA for the Olympics since 2008.
In 2018, Ralph Lauren celebrated his 50th anniversary with a star-studded fashion show and, in 2019, was awarded an honorary knighthood — the highest British honor — for services to fashion.
On 1stDibs, discover a wide range of vintage Ralph Lauren shirts, sweaters and other clothing.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Polo Ralph Lauren is technically the same as Ralph Lauren, as Polo Ralph Lauren is a sportswear and fragrance line owned by the Ralph Lauren Corporation. However, Polo is not the same as Ralph Lauren. The Ralph Lauren Corporation owns the Polo Ralph Lauren brand, while Polo is produced by U.S. Polo Association.
- What made Ralph Lauren famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024What made Ralph Lauren famous is his eponymous clothing brand, which blends classic, preppy Americana East Coast style with the look of upper-crust English aristocracy. Lauren got his start as a tie salesman working out of a drawer at New York's Empire State Building and went on to grow one of the world's largest and most successful fashion empires from scratch. He debuted as a designer in 1967 with his Polo collection of handmade neckties. Today, his family of brands makes apparel, accessories, furniture, textiles and home décor. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Ralph Lauren pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Ralph Lauren is considered a premium brand and is an internationally recognized name in fashion, furniture and more. The quality of materials and durability of Ralph Lauren clothing and more — as well as its universal brand recognition and affiliations with high-end designers — play a role in the price of the company's goods in today's marketplace. Find a variety of Ralph Lauren products on 1stDibs.