Ralph Lauren

Even as a child, Ralph Lauren was always intrigued by the lifestyle of the rich, and as he became an adult, he channeled all of his efforts into not only becoming successful enough to have that lifestyle, but in creating his own version of it.

Children's Literature

As a child, Ralph Lauren had his own distinctive personal style. This style helped him turn his interest in clothes into a multi-millionaire business. Ralph Lauren was born in the Bronx, New York, on October 14, 1939. He was the youngest of four children of first-generation Russian Jewish parents. As a young boy, Ralph was given his older brother's hand-me-downs. He really did not mind since he loved clothes, but he dreamed of one day being rich and buying as many new clothes as he wanted. He actually wrote in his high school yearbook that his ambition was to be a millionaire. Lauren went to college at night and worked in department stores during the day. Although he did drop out of college in his third year, he still had dreams of making it big in the fashion industry. He soon found work selling clothes in a well-known store called Brooks Brothers. He gained experience there and moved on to other stores. He worked hard, and his employees noticed he had a flair for selling and fashion. However, he had his own distinctive style that some people in the fashion industry thought too innovative and daring. While working in the industry, he married and started a family. In 1968, he began to design menswear and won an award in that field. He then expanded his business into fragrances and home products. Lauren is a rich man, but he donates millions of dollars to worthy causes such as a Cancer Center in East Harlem. Author Weatherly has written a pleasant biography of a talented man who has made significant contributions in the world of fashion. Color photographs are included, as well as a timeline, sources, bibliography, and websites. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi