Specialising in high-end men and women’s fashion wear, especially shirts, the Ralph Lauren brand also sells homewares, accessories, and fragrances. Founded in 1967, its headquarters are in New York City, and its eponymous creator is one of the most famous designers around. Its classic designs not only appeal to the horsy set, but also, through its outlet stores at shopping villages such as Bicester, appeal through its wide range of products to bargain hunters on the lookout for something that will last.
However, Ralph Lauren started out as a company selling ties in the late sixties, before expanding into womenswear in the early seventies, providing a sexier fitted look based on the men’s lines. Moving from a boutique store within department store Bloomingdale’s to the first standalone store in Beverly Hills, California, the company now hires nearly 13,000 employees worldwide. Although best-known for their well-fitting shirts in a range of colours, the brand continues to expand into other projects, including the restaurant RL in Chicago, and sponsoring a cancer centre in Harlem.
The idea that Ralph Lauren’s clothing symbolises a certain class of society can be viewed positively or negatively; however, the brand’s success cannot be argued with: as well as retailing online, they operate a total of 326 outlets worldwide (a fifty-fifty split of discount retail and full-price retail, with its London branch being the largest). Additionally, Ralph Lauren is the official outfitter for both Wimbledon, the US Open, as well as (since 2008) the Winter and Summer Olympic teams, making this US brand subtly pervasive and increasing the timeless quality of its products. This combination of luxurious quality and comfort with professionalism is certainly a factor of the brand’s success, along with the accessibility of its well-laid out shops and its high-profile endorsements.