Fashion career profile
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and the founder of the global lifestyle company that bears his name. Born in the Bronx in 1939, he studied business at Baruch College but left before completing a degree and later served in the U.S. Army. In 1967 he began selling ties under the Polo name, developing the idea into a broader menswear business. A womenswear collection followed in 1971, and the Polo shirt became a defining product in 1972. Lauren’s work draws on American sportswear, tailoring, film and aspirational lifestyle imagery, extending beyond clothing into accessories and home. He remains Ralph Lauren Corporation’s Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, while Patrice Louvet holds the separate President and Chief Executive Officer role. The profile therefore separates Lauren’s founding, creative and board responsibilities instead of implying that he runs the company as CEO. His enduring role is both creative and strategic, with the company’s professional operating leadership represented separately.
- Role
- Founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Ralph Lauren
- Nationality
- American
- Age
- 87
- Career appointments
- 3
- Fashion houses
- 1
- Verified awards
- 1
- Active roles
- 3
- Must Read: Maria Grazia Chiuri on Her Return to Fendi, How Fashion Labels Are Democratizing Runway ShowsFashionista · 2026-10-16
- If You Want to Smell Like Vintage Ralph Lauren, Try This Velvety, Sophisticated FragranceWho What Wear · 2026-10-15
- Ralph Lauren ties executive payouts to AI in sign of retail's shifting prioritiesFashionNetwork · 2026-10-15
- Leadership transition: Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer from 2 November 2015This effective date followed the September announcement; the CEO role transferred to Stefan Larsson. · Ralph Lauren SEC filing
- Education: Baruch College, business studiesLauren left before completing his degree and later served in the U.S. Army. · Ralph Lauren Corporation
- Company founded: 1967Lauren began his business selling ties under the Polo name. · Ralph Lauren Corporation
- Womenswear: First women’s collection in 1971The 1971 collection introduced the Polo player emblem on a women’s shirt. · Ralph Lauren
- Polo shirt: Introduced in 1972The polo shirt became one of the company’s signature products. · Ralph Lauren
- Leadership scope: Executive Chairman and Chief Creative OfficerThe corporation identifies Lauren separately from President and CEO Patrice Louvet. · Ralph Lauren Corporation
- 1967 — Begins the Polo businessLauren began by designing and selling ties under the Polo name.
- 1971 — Introduces a womenswear collectionThe collection included the now-familiar Polo player emblem.
- 1972 — Launches the Polo shirtThe garment became one of the company’s signature products.
- 2015 — Leadership responsibilities changeExecutive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer appointment takes effect on 2 November.
- 2015 — Moves from CEO to Executive Chairman and Chief Creative OfficerThe company filed that the new titles took effect on November 2, 2015.
- 2015–Present — Chief Creative Officer — Ralph LaurenCurrent appointment · U.S. SEC filing
- 2015–Present — Executive Chairman — Ralph LaurenCurrent appointment · U.S. SEC filing
- 1967–Present — Founder — Ralph LaurenCurrent appointment · Ralph Lauren Corporation
- 2025 — Ralph Lauren — American Womenswear Designer of the YearVerified fashion award