The brand was launched in 1967 when Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifschitz, got a $50,000 loan.


Prior to starting Ralph Lauren, he worked for Brooks Brothers. In 1968 he started a line of men's


ties. By 1969 he had a boutique store within the Manhattan department store Bloomingdale's.

2. The brand now produces clothing, accessories, fragrances, furniture, operates the restaurant


RL in Chicago, and sponsors a Harlem cancer center in association with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer


Center.

3. As of 2009, Ralph Lauren or their licensing partners operated 163 full-price and 163


outlet/factory stores around the world (including Club Monaco and Rugby stores). The company's


flagship store is located in the former Rhinelander Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City.

4. One of the most famous pieces in the Polo line is the classic polo short-sleeved knit shirt


featuring the Polo player on the left breast of the shirt. This shirt in particular became a fashion


must-have in the 1980s with the preppy set. Other Polo classics include the cashmere cableknit


sweater, chinos and the oxford cloth button-down shirt.

5. Other flagship stores are located in Chicago (largest RL store in the U.S.), East Hampton,


London (largest RL store in the world),Youth Football jerseys, Miami, Milan, Palm Beach, and Tokyo. Ralph Lauren is one of


the largest retailers in the United States with revenues reaching $4.2 billion in 2007