Oprah Talks to Ralph Lauren (2024)


Oprah: Everyone always says one thing about you: You've kept your soul.

Ralph: What I feel best about is that while I enjoy what I have and don't want to lose it, I also don't need it.

Oprah: Right. I know your name used to be Ralph Lifsh*tz. Where did the name Lauren come from?

Ralph: My given name has the word sh*t in it. When I was a kid, the other kids would make a lot of fun of me. It was a tough name. That's why I decided to change it. Then people said, "Did you change your name because you don't want to be Jewish?" I said, "Absolutely not. That's not what it's about." There were also people who thought that because I was Jewish, I had no right to create these preppy clothes. Harvard, Yale, Princeton: "Why do you like these kind of things?"

Oprah: Why did you choose the name Lauren?

Ralph: My cousins who lived in California had changed their last name to Lawrence. So I just thought, "I'm going to pick a nice last name"—it wasn't particularly connected to anything or anyone. I was 16, and it was years before I became a designer. It had nothing to do with Jewishness, it had nothing to do with not being proud of who I am. It had to do with not wanting to be at a detriment for no reason in a world that makes fun of things.

Oprah: Yes—Lifsh*tz is a hard one. I don't know if I'd want to buy the Lifsh*tz towels.

Ralph: If I had it to do over, would I change my name today? I'm not so sure.

Oprah: Do you still celebrate your Jewishness and honor the holidays?

Ralph: Absolutely. I'm very proud of my history and of my life. But there are always people who will shoot at you.

Oprah: A lot of people have described you as shy. Do you see yourself that way?

Ralph: I'm not great at co*cktail parties. I can sit with you and talk about anything, because this is a real conversation. It's not about bullsh*t. It's about realness, and that's what I'm good at. If you get me on a subject I know about, I'm very strong. If I don't know much about it, I don't say much. The one thing I admire in others that I missed is a really great education. I would have loved to speak several languages. I would have loved to be much better read than I am. I was so busy trying to become something that I didn't have some luxuries. I had to work.

From the October 2002 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Oprah Talks to Ralph Lauren (2024)

FAQs

What was Ralph Lauren's famous quote? ›

"Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It's not about brands. It's about something else that comes from within you."

Who runs Ralph Lauren now? ›

Patrice Louvet is President and Chief Executive Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation and also serves on the Ralph Lauren Board of Directors. Mr. Louvet leads the Company and its 24,000 employees worldwide in their purpose-inspired Next Great Chapter: Accelerate strategy to deliver sustainable growth and value creation.

Does Ralph Lauren still own Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren is executive chairman and chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren, his all-American fashion empire. He controls 85% of the voting rights. Lauren started the business in 1967 in a tiny office at the Empire State building.

What did Ralph Lauren struggle with? ›

He was unhappy with the style of men's clothing at the time and decided to design clothes for himself. He officially turned his passion for fashion into a career with a sales job at the Brooks Brother in New York at the age of 24.

What is the most famous line of all time? ›

The list
RankQuotationYear
1"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."1939
2"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."1972
3"You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am."1954
4"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."1939
61 more rows

What is the most famous quote ever said? ›

10 most famous quotes of all time
  • "I have a dream." ...
  • "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - ...
  • "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." - ...
  • "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." -
May 20, 2022

Who is the richest designer? ›

At 88 years of age, king of Italian couture Giorgio Armani is the world's richest fashion designer with a net worth of $11.5 billion, according to the Forbes 2023 World Billionaires List.

Is Ralph Lauren Made in China real or fake? ›

Unfortunately, Ralph Lauren has long since outsourced its production. A large part of the polo shirts are made in China and another part in Sri Lanka. The shirts and sweaters are usually made in Hong Kong. We can also find the creations of the designer in Cambodia, Vietnam and Pakistan.

What is Ralph Lauren style called? ›

Renowned for its quintessential preppy style, the Ralph Lauren brand has been around since 1967, when it began by selling the 'American dream'. Today, the brand is distinguished in every corner of the globe and stands for something much bigger.

Who is Ralph Lauren's biggest competitor? ›

Ralph Lauren vs competitors
CompanyFounding DateEmployees
Calvin Klein19681,001
Gap Inc.1969117,000
Neiman Marcus Group190713,500
V Versace19781,500
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Is Ralph Lauren luxury or not? ›

Today, the brand offers a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, and home goods, all known for their exceptional quality and attention to detail. One key factor that sets Ralph Lauren apart as a luxury brand is its commitment to craftsmanship.

Is Ralph Lauren a high end brand? ›

Ralph Lauren Corporation is an American publicly traded fashion company that was founded in 1967 by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The company is headquartered in New York City, producing products ranging from the mid-range to the luxury segments.

Do celebrities wear Ralph Lauren? ›

That excitement was palpable at the World of Ralph Lauren Fashion experience, where runway models flaunted the brand's trademark Americana flair for a star-studded crowd that included Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Jessica Chastain, Laura Dern, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Chris Pine, Mindy Kaling, John Legend and more.

Does Ralph Lauren support LGBTQ? ›

Ralph Lauren Corporation and The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation have a long-standing history of supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Support has been provided through volunteer activations, corporate initiatives, and financial grants.

How successful is Ralph Lauren now? ›

Today Ralph Lauren Corporation is worth more than US$7.4billion, and although he stepped down as CEO in 2015, he remains executive chairman and chief creative officer and presides over every line: Ralph Lauren Collection, Polo Ralph Lauren, Purple Label, Double RL and more.

Who is the most quoted man? ›

OSCAR Wilde has been named as the “most quotable figure” in the history of the English language.

What is Obama's famous quote? ›

If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress.

What is the most powerful short quote? ›

Short motivational quotes
  • “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” — ...
  • “Opportunities don't happen, you create them.” — ...
  • “Love your family, work super hard, live your passion.” — ...
  • “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” —
Dec 1, 2022

What is a strong woman quote? ›

A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong.

What is a famous quote from Oprah Winfrey? ›

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”

Who is the most powerful man in fashion? ›

Meet Edward Enninful, the most powerful man in fashion.

Who is No 1 richest person in the world? ›

Who is the richest man in the world? As of June 1, 2023, the richest man in the world is Bernard Arnault, the CEO and chairman of LVMH of France; he's worth $215 billion. He moved into the number one spot after Elon Musk's fortune fell in late 2022 as shares of electric carmaker Tesla fell.

Who is the greatest designer of all time? ›

1. Coco Chanel. Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, later known as “Coco” to the world, is perhaps the most iconic and influential fashion designer of all time.

How can you tell if a Ralph Lauren top is real? ›

These digital tags allow you to authenticate Ralph Lauren products with your smartphone by opening your camera and scanning the QR code next to the product label. Digital product IDs are being phased into Ralph Lauren products, starting with the Polo brand, to ensure you feel secure about the purchase you are making.

How can you tell if vintage Ralph Lauren is real? ›

All genuine Ralph Lauren will have a care label with information on what material the shirt is made of and how to take care of the item. Each label will have a registered trademark symbol (®). The writing should be neat and legible - messiness would indicate the item is a fake.

Is Ralph Lauren and Polo the same company? ›

The Company's brand names – which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children and Chaps, among others – constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

Why is Ralph Lauren so popular? ›

Ralph Lauren has always enjoyed success due to positive consumer perceptions of its classic designs, high quality and premium image. It has followed an expansion strategy using the same core credentials into other fashion segments.

Is there a difference between Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren Polo and South African Polo are two different brands owned by two different companies and they are not affiliated with each other. The Ralph Lauren brand is an international brand by an American designer and the South African Polo brand is locally owned by L.A Group LTD.

What is the most popular product sold by Ralph Lauren? ›

The Classic Polo Shirt

The company started with ties but it was the polo shirt, introduced in 1972, that really turned RL into the global powerhouse that it is today. Ralph didn't invent it, but he certainly owned it.

Who is Ralph Lauren's target customer? ›

Ralph Lauren target consumer can be described as being in the upper-middle-class to upper class range. These social classes tend to have the most disposable income to spend on clothing, and therefore shop more frequently than others.

What is Gucci's biggest competitor? ›

Gucci's competitors and similar companies include Prada, CHANEL, Christian Dior and Armani. Gucci is a luxury fashion brand, manufacturing and distributing leather goods, shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewelry. Italian luxury fashion house since 1913.

Is Calvin Klein a high end brand? ›

Calvin Klein Inc.

(/klaɪn/) is an American premium fashion house which markets its eponymously branded products worldwide.

Is Coach considered a luxury brand? ›

While Coach is certainly a high-quality brand with a strong reputation, it may not meet all of the criteria for a true luxury brand. While their products are well-made and often quite expensive, they are not necessarily exclusive or rare in the way some other luxury brands are.

Is MK a luxury brand? ›

Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready-to-wear.

Is Brooks Brothers a luxury brand? ›

Brooks Brothers
FormerlyH. & D. H. Brooks & Co. (1818-1850)
Number of locations170 (2021)
Key peopleKen Ohashi (CEO) Michael Bastian (Creative director)
ProductsLuxury clothing accessories home furnishings
OwnersAuthentic Brands Group and SPARC Group LLC
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What is Ralph Lauren's slogan? ›

Ralph embraces the cowboy spirit

The tagline—“made to be worn”—says it all.

Is Tommy Hilfiger a premium brand? ›

Tommy Hilfiger, originally known as Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and Tommy Hilfiger Inc., is an American luxury clothing company that creates clothing, footwear, accessories, fragrances, and home furnishings.

Why is Ralph Lauren logo so big? ›

The original logo was too small to capture so the Polo Golf consumer line created the big pony for several polo and windbreakers products.

What is the controversy between polo and Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren has apologised for selling an item which allegedly copied Mexican indigenous designs. The US fashion chain was accused of "plagiarism" by the wife of the country's president, Beatriz Gutiérrez, as well as a culture minister. Mexico has aimed similar complaints at other big brands in recent years.

What brands are competitive with Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren, a prominent player in the global luxury fashion industry, faces competition from several well-established and renowned brands. Some of its main competitors include Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Hugo Boss, and Michael Kors.

Who is the Ralph Lauren male model? ›

Tyson Beckford

Do people still wear Ralph Lauren? ›

Because in the 50 years since Ralph Lauren's Polo Shirt first came to market, it's permeated almost every facet of American culture. It's been worn by prepsters and politicians, super models and school kids, rockstars and rappers. “Everyone and anybody, all over the world, from all walks of life,” Mirkin explains.

Who is Ralph Lauren owned by? ›

Ralph Lauren (/ˈlɔːrən/ LOR-ən; né Lifsh*tz; born October 14, 1939) is an American fashion designer, philanthropist, and billionaire businessman, best known for the Ralph Lauren Corporation, a global multibillion-dollar enterprise.

What is the most famous quote from a movie? ›

According to the American Film Institute, the most famous line in a movie is “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn”. This is spoken by actor Clark Gable who plays the role of Rhett Butler in the 1939 American Civil War epic, "Gone with the Wind".

What is the highest line of Ralph Lauren? ›

Purple Label is the top-end Ralph Lauren label, and by far the most expensive. This label is home to the most premium Ralph Lauren products, made from superior materials and often in smaller runs.

Whose famous line is a thing of beauty is a joy for ever? ›

John Keats began writing poetry in 1814 and would publish his first book of collected poems three years later.

Why is Ralph Lauren so iconic? ›

Ralph Lauren established the way for future designers in the American male fashion industry. Ralph Lauren is a brand that is widely associated with preppy luxury and a return to adolescence. Polo shirts by Ralph Lauren were so successful that the brand had to delete the word “polo” from its name.

Why is Ralph Lauren logo a bear? ›

The bear was introduced in 1991 after Ralph Lauren employees gave their boss and his brother Jerry teddy bears (made by famous German toy maker Steiff) dressed like them. Lauren was taken with the gift and thought the brand should start selling the plush toys in stores.

What is Disney's famous quote? ›

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney.

What is the highest grossing movie of all time? ›

1 Avatar — $2.92B

It's no surprise that even after 14 years, the first Avatar movie still holds the record as the highest-grossing-movie in history (if we don't take inflation into the account).

What is a famous Tom Hanks film quote? ›

Our Favorite Tom Hanks Movie Quotes to Live By
  • “It's supposed to be hard. ...
  • “Wouldn't you be more comfortable in a research room?” “ ...
  • “Life was like a box of chocolates. ...
  • “From now on, we live in a world where man has walked on the moon. ...
  • “Reach for the sky!” – ...
  • “James, earn this…earn it.” – ...
  • “I knew it wasn't…possible.
Jan 11, 2023

Is Ralph Lauren premium or luxury? ›

So, is Ralph Lauren a luxury brand? Absolutely. From its commitment to craftsmanship and timeless style to its exclusivity and attention to detail, Ralph Lauren is a brand worthy of its place at the fashion world's top.

What does a green Ralph Lauren tag mean? ›

7. Lauren by Ralph Lauren (LRL, sometimes known as green label) Contains clothing of almost-invariably inferior quality manufactured specifically for discount outlets and lower-end departmental stores.

What is Maya Angelou quote about beauty? ›

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

What Oscar Wilde says about beauty? ›

Beauty is a form of Genius--is higher, indeed, than Genius, as it needs no explanation. It is one of the great facts of the world, like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection in the dark waters of that silver shell we call the moon. It cannot be questioned.

Who said taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic? ›

~Rosalind Russell

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