Ralph Lauren Influence On American Fashion

Ralph Lauren has set the standard for American fashion by staying true to his view that creates timeless, natural and elegant clothing that is still widely worn today until his origin.

In 1967 Ralph Lauren was working as a sales clerk at Brooks Brothers and then as a salesman for a necktie company, Beau Brummell. During the 1960s the most commonly worn ties were long, narrow and dark with monotone patterns, but Ralph had his own idea for ties. Ralph’s first design of ties was almost twice in width with very vibrant and subtle patterns. He convinced the company to let him start his own tie line, which he named Polo. The ties were handmade from exuberant colored fabric specifically chosen for each piece. Ralph worked alone in a single drawer

Another source was an interest in the style of clothing worn at Ivy League colleges. In his biography he wrote: "I loved the oldness, the custom mood of navy blazers, school crests, rep ties, flannels, and saddle shoes." which he translated a style often favored by older white men into a look that’s suited for anyone. This fueled his vision for clothing and once said of his style, “I’m interested in longevity, timelessness, style—not

In the mid-1980s, Ralph Lauren’s close friend, Nina Hyde, then fashion editor for The Washington Post, was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, the disease held little attention. Nina opened to Ralph of her situation so he co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for breast cancer research while simultaneously going into the fashion industry attempting to give it more exposure. Within the midst of it all Nina Hyde passed in 1990, resulting in the creation of the clothing line Pink Pony, “a worldwide initiative dedicated to supporting cancer programs and bringing cancer care to underserved communities.” Additionally, in 2001, he partnered with Dr. Harold P. Freeman to open up a second research center; the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, in East Harlem, New