BIOGRAPHY OF A BUSINESS PERSON- RALPH LAUREN

Ralph Lauren is a self-made billionaire and one of the most famous fashion names in the
world. He is best known for his sportswear line Polo Ralph Lauren, the centrepiece of his
fashion empire.

Ralph Lifshitz, later he changed his last name to Lauren after having been teased at school,
was born in the Bronx, New York City, on October 14, 1939, the third of four siblings. His
parents Frieda and Frank were Jewish immigrants who had fled Belarus.

Ralph was known for his distinctive fashion sense as a teen, finding inspiration in screen
icons like Fred Astaire and Cary Grant while having a taste for both classic preppy wear and
vintage looks. His first forays into fashion and business began at DeWitt Clinton High School
during which he would sell handmade ties to fellow students with a $7-10 mark-up. Following
high school and two years in the U.S. Army, Lauren took evening classes at Brooklyns
Baruch College before becoming a neckwear salesman at Brooks Brothers.

In 1967, while working for Beau Brummell, Lauren began designing his own mens neckties
with a wider cut, branding them under the name Polo and that's when the brand is born and
following the release of his infamous Ralph Lauren polo shirt in 1972, the designer was
transformed from a dreamer to worldwide fashion mogul.

It had taken him two decades to progress from his first low-payed job to multi-millionaire
status. Since then Ralph Laurens brand has rocketed with over 300 stores in the US and 100
others worldwide. His net worth is estimated to be 6 billion dollars.

In addition to his business empire, Lauren has been involved in numerous philanthropic
initiatives such as Centre for Cancer Care and Prevention, Pink Pony Fund and American
Heroes Fund.

As for family Lauren married once. The love of his life was and still is a teacher and part-time
receptionist Ricky Anne Low-Beer. They married in New York City in 1964. The Laurens are
the parents of three children: Andrew, David and Dylan.