In honor of Ralph Lauren's return to NYFW, get to know the incomparable fashion designer and businessman.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/ralph-lauren-mens-spring-summer-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ralph Lauren</a> is a household name in the world of fashion. As one of the most outstanding designers of this generation, Lauren has been leading his fashion empire and a force of an entrepreneur for over half a century, with his company celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018. His name is often synonymous with iconic menswear, whether that be in the form of luxury suits or <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/history-polo-shirt-ralph-lauren-lacoste" target="_blank" rel="noopener">classic polos</a>.&nbsp;
Born in The Bronx, Lauren has had a whirlwind of a life that has led him to this point in his career. He stepped down as CEO of his namesake company in 2015, but still serves as executive chairman and chief creative officer. Outside of fashion, the designer has also committed to philanthropy, founding and supporting multiple programs committed to cancer research, volunteer opportunities, and educational resources.&nbsp;
After taking a brief hiatus from presenting at New York Fashion Week &mdash; his last show being in 2019 &mdash; the renowned designer is finally returning, set to stage his runway show on September 8. In celebration of Lauren's return to NYFW, L'OFFICIEL&nbsp;rounds up 10 must-know facts about the fashion icon.&nbsp;

He started with designing neckties.

Lauren started his career as a tie designer. After working for Brooks Brothers as a salesman, he branched off and started his own company, going from store to store selling ties out of a drawer in the Empire State Building. Some of his first ties were made out of old rags. Lauren described them to be "wide and unusual," which helped the ties stand out in the market and become successful.&nbsp;

He changed his last name.

Before he became the icon he is today, his last name was initially Lifshitz. At the age of 16, Ralph's brother Jerry changed their last name to Lauren, as the designer was constantly teased in school for his name.&nbsp;

In a private ceremony, Lauren was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to fashion. He was presented with an honorary knighthood by then <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/how-princess-diana-prince-charles-broke-royal-traditions-wedding-marriage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prince Charles</a> in June 2019, which made him the first American designer with the title.&nbsp;

Lauren has an impressive car collection, with over 70 expensive cars featured. There is even a portion of the Ralph Lauren website that is dedicated to the massive car collection, and some of the priceless vehicles include a 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa, a 1929 Bentley, and one of the two existing Bugatti type 57SC that is worth $41 million.&nbsp;

He made a surprising cameo on&nbsp;Friends.

In Season 5 of the hit show <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/friends-best-fashion-moments-trends-rachel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Friends</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/jennifer-aniston-style-inspiration-retro-vintage-friends-shop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jennifer Aniston</a>'s character <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/jennifer-aniston-the-rachel-hairstyle-90s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rachel Green</a> worked in an executive position for Ralph Lauren. The designer made two cameo appearances in one episode, both instances being in an elevator.&nbsp;

He designed all the menswear in&nbsp;The Great Gatsby.

Lauren's clothes were featured in Jack Clayton's 1974 adaptation of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/the-great-gatsby-musical-broadway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Great Gatsby</a>, in which leading man Robert Redford dons a wonderful collection of dapper suits. Some of Lauren's clothes were also featured in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/timothee-chalamet-is-donating-his-salary-from-his-woody-allen-film" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woody Allen</a>'s&nbsp;Annie Hall, with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/diane-keaton-outfits-annie-hall-boots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diane Keaton</a>'s character owning a tuxedo jacket from the legendary designer.&nbsp;

He is the only designer to win the CDFA's top four honors.

Lauren is the only designer who has won the fashion equivalent of the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/female-celebrities-egot-winners-emmy-grammy-oscar-tony" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EGOT</a>, earning the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, the Menswear Designer of the Year Award, and the Retailer of the Year Award. He was presented with his first Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 by his close friend <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/audrey-hepburn-givenchy-little-black-dress-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Audrey Hepburn</a>, which he stated was the most important award he's ever won.&nbsp;

Contrary to popular belief, Lauren was not actually the one who invented the polo shirt. It was actually invented by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/lacoste-crocodile-inside-campaign-chloe-sevigny-alton-mason-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rene Lacoste</a> in 1926, who thought stiff tennis shirts were too uncomfortable. Lauren is, of course, responsible for making the shirt popular, taking up the rights in the late '70s and making them an iconic staple for years to come.&nbsp;

His daughter opened a franchise of candy stores.

Lauren's daughter, Dylan, opened up a chain of candy stores called Dylan's Candy Bar. Inspired by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/search?query=willy+wonka">Willy Wonka &amp; The Chocolate Factory</a>&nbsp;from a very young age, she spent years studying abroad, tasting and discovering new candies, before eventually opening up her first store in 2001.&nbsp;

He threw the first pitch at a Yankees Game.

Lauren celebrated his brand's <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/ralph-lauren-spring-summer-2019-collection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">50th anniversary</a> at a <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/ralph-lauren-new-york-yankees-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yankees Game</a> in 2018, throwing the first pitch in celebration. He described it to be one of his fondest memories and even designed a limited-edition Polo x Yankees collection.&nbsp;

10 things to know about Ralph Lauren

Tags

Related Articles

Arts, Culture and Lifestyle

Inside Dior Café, Ember Beach Club with Chef Raymond Tham

Fashion

Show Notes: Loewe Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 Collection

Personalities

Up close with three trailblazers from different industries

Recommended posts for you

Fashion

Cha Eun-woo is dripping in style for his new Calvin Klein Spring 2025 campaign

Fashion

Great Expectations: Model Tomas takes on a bold and fashionably extravagant journey

Watches

Burst of Ingenuity: These watches feature a blend of innovation and contemporary design

Arts, Culture and Lifestyle

Lady Gaga in Singapore: Everything we know so far

Grooming

Interview: Head perfumer Christine Nagel on the new Terre d’Hermès Eau de Parfum Intense

Print Covers

March 2025 cover: Firdhaus on creating music, navigating expectations and more

Arts, Culture and Lifestyle

Royal Salute x Harris Reed: A whisky dressed in couture

Fashion

Balenciaga’s latest drop turns its ambassadors into fanclub merch—with a playful twist