One of the fashion industry s biggest names, Ralph Lauren was dubbed "The first image-maker" by New York magazine, but it was only after studying business science and serving time in the army that he broke into fashion.
He began his empire in 1967 with a tie shop, despite having no formal training or education in the fashion or design industry. However, it did not prove to be a hinderance, and he moved on to launch a menswear range and then a women s label.
He is known for his polo shirts, which spawned a chic preppy look in the 1980s and 1990s, but his success has gone beyond that and into sportswear, casualwear, home furnishings and now perfume.
His fragrances are as well known as his clothes now, and his men s EDTs include Polo, Polo Black, Polo Blue, Polo Explorer, Polo Modern Reserve, Polo Sport, Purple Label, Romance Men and Safari for Men.
