Ralph Lauren | 50 Years

Photos courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren commemorated its 50th anniversary late last year with a stunning event set against New York’s famous landmark, Central Park’s Bethesda Terrace.

The 50th Anniversary Collection articulated Lauren’s singular vision of American designs and exemplified those themes and inspirations throughout his career.

“For my 50th anniversary, I wanted to create and share a runway experience that was deeply personal and a summation of the style I always believed in: personal, authentic, and forever in a place so quintessentially New York and so special to me—Central Park,” he said.

In tandem, he published a visually captivating 50th anniversary book, showcasing iconic imagery from the world of Ralph Lauren. “Every one of the places and things in this book has to do with my life—the old plaid shirts, the tweed jackets, the coats, the cars, the trucks, the white clapboard farmhouses—they are everything that I have aspired to, lived with, and loved,” wrote Lauren. “Every nuance that I ever connected to is here. So I give them back to you. That’s what I do.”

“English style came from an attitude about everyday living: gardening, hunting, riding, children, horses, and dogs.”

Over the past 50 years, Lauren has celebrated the iconography of America and defined American style, translating his vision and inspiration into one of the world’s most widely recognized brands.

Equestrian Inspired

The sartorial appeal of his equestrian-inspired apparel within the equestrian world has been longstanding. Lauren’s homage to the palettes and textures of the American West, and his nods to the tweeds and hunt coats of the English countryside, along with the classic breeches and jackets prevalent in the hunter ring, continue to resonate with those looking for timeless allure.

Over the last five years, the Ralph Lauren brand has consistently been nominated to and won Equestrian Living’s annual Gold List favorite equestrian-inspired apparel and leather accessories categories.

In 1971, the brand introduced the Polo player logo and followed a year later with the debut of the iconic polo shirt, a mainstay in any equestrian’s wardrobe and a signature choice for training.

“Personal style is about having a sense of yourself and of what you believe in, which is basically self-confidence.”

Ralph Lauren continued to integrate facets of the equestrian world into his collections. In 1978 the brand launched his Western wear for men and women, his first collection inspired by the American West. Three years later, he introduced the Santa Fe collection, and in 1985 the Equestrian Collection for women, inspired by the romance of traditional riding apparel, debuted.

Growth and Change for Ralph Lauren

Throughout the last 50 years, the brand has remained true to its expression of timeless style that is recognized around the world. The Ralph Lauren Corporation now boasts a portfolio of four premium lifestyle brands, which include apparel, home, accessories, and fragrances. Additionally, Ralph Lauren has expanded into hospitality featuring restaurants and cafes in New York, Chicago, Paris, London, and Hong Kong.

Over the course of his career, Ralph Lauren has accrued countless fashion awards and been the official outfitter of numerous U.S. Olympic teams. Over the last decade he has broadened his contributions as a designer, business leader, and philanthropist.

The 50th anniversary fête seems perfectly fitting for the vision and accomplishments of Ralph Lauren.