Polo Ralph Lauren
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| Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation | |
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| Type | Public (NYSE: RL) |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | New York, NY, USA |
| Key people | Ralph Lauren, Chairman & CEO |
| Industry | Textiles - Apparel Clothing |
| Products | Apparel, Home, Gifts &, Fragrance |
| Revenue | ▲$3.746 billion USD (2006) |
| Net income | ▲$308.00 million USD (2006) |
| Employees | 12,800 (2006) |
| Website | www.ralphlauren.com |
Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL) is American fashion designer Ralph Lauren's luxury lifestyle company. Polo Ralph Lauren specializes in high-end casual/semi-formal wear for men and women, as well as accessories, fragrance, and housewares.
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[edit] History
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. In 1971, Polo Ralph Lauren launched its first women's collection and his first standalone store in Beverly Hills, California. Ten years later, in 1981, the brand went global with its first international store on London's New Bond Street. The Polo Sport line was introduced in 1993. [1]
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. The flagship store is located in the former Rhinelander Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City.
Other flagship stores are located in Chicago, East Hampton, London, Miami, Milan, Palm Beach, and Tokyo.[1]
Ralph Lauren is one of the largest fashion designer/retailers in the United States, with sales almost reaching four billion dollars per year.
[edit] Polo classics
One of the most famous pieces in the Polo line is the classic polo short-sleeved knit shirt featuring the now-iconic 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.
[edit] Brands
Since Ralph Lauren's first brand, Polo, was launched in 1967, the company has expanded to include a variety of luxury brands. They include:
[edit] Clothing for men
- Purple Label: Launched in 1994, this is Ralph Lauren's signature, and highest end, men's line, with classic, traditionally British styling. It includes ready-to-wear suits and sportcoats (formerly made by St. Andrew's, now Canterelli), dress shirts, sportswear, accessories, and footwear, as well as a collection of made-to-order suits, sportcoats, shoes(made by British company Edward Green), dress shirts, exotic skin luggage, small leather goods, and jewelry. Purple Label is only available in Ralph Lauren stores and high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
- Black Label:Black Label for men tends to have a more modern, Italian cut to its suits, sportcoats (made by Corneliani), dress shirts, and sportswear, with higher armholes and a slimmer silhouette. Black Label is also only available in flagship Ralph Lauren stores and selected high-end department stores.
- Polo Ralph Lauren: His first brand for men, and also the most widely available. Spans from tailored clothing (ready-to-wear and made to measure), sportswear, accessories (including luggage), small leather goods. Available at many department and specialty stores as well as Ralph Lauren stores.
- Polo Denim: A relaunch of the Polo Jeans Co. line. Denim basics available online and in department stores.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren: Basics and suiting, available primarily through outlet and department stores.
[edit] Clothing for women
- Collection: The highest end clothing line for women (also carries a purple tag), as seen in his runway shows. Includes classic eveningwear, tailored blazers, outerwear, sportswear, handbags, and accessories.
- Black Label: An extension of the Collection line, with modern, high-end casual and semi-formal women's wear.
- Blue Label: Similar in price point and styling to the Polo men's line; has classic American styling.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren: Less pricey versions of Blue Label styles. Available at Ralphlauren.com.
- Lauren Jeans Co.: The casual version of the Lauren Ralph Lauren. Denim and casual basics available at Ralphlauren.com and in department stores.
- Pink Pony: A charity line of sportswear and accessories all carrying a pink Polo pony. A portion of the proceeds benefit cancer research.
[edit] Clothing for men and women
- RLX: A technical sports apparel line, focusing on clothing and outerwear built for outdoor sports such as tennis, golf, skiing, sailing, and hiking.
- Double RL (RRL): A denim and sportswear line that takes its influence from the American West. Available in Ralph Lauren stores as well as several smaller Double RL stores.
- Rugby: A brand launched in 2004 focusing on collegiate apparel with a similar look to the pricier Polo and Blue Label brands.
- Club Monaco
- American Living: A classic, all-American inspired line sold at the department store retailer JCPenney.
- Chaps: Similar to the Lauren brand, though with a slightly lower price point. Sold at Kohl's and other stores. A true lifestyle brand, it has things for children and also the home.
[edit] Clothing for children
[edit] Home
- Ralph Lauren Home: A luxury home furnishings and accessories line, including furniture (manufactured by Henredon furniture company), fabrics, tabletop, decorative accessories, bedding, bath, and paint. Sold to the trade and in Ralph Lauren stores (stand-alone as well as in select department stores).
- Lauren Home: An upscale home brand, carries only tabletop, accessories, bedding, and bath. Sold primarily through department stores.
- Ralph: A low priced and low thread-count line of urban bedding and bath towels available in the mid-1990's and subsequently discontinued.
[edit] Sports sponsorships
In 2005, Polo Ralph Lauren and the USTA signed a four year partnership making Polo the official apparel sponsor of the US Open through 2008. All on-court ball persons and officials will be dressed in specially designed Ralph Lauren apparel.[2]
In 2003, Polo Ralph Lauren became the first Official Outfitter of Wimbledon, redesigning the outfits for ballboys, line and court judges and the Wimbledon logo was adapted for this purpose. Ralph Lauren's Polo brand and style was used and a range of clothing for men and women was launched on 26th June.[3]
The company also sponsors US professional golfers Tom Watson, Jonathan Byrd, Davis Love III, and Luke Donald; as well as LPGA golfer Morgan Pressel.[4]
In April 2008, Polo Ralph Lauren won the U.S. Olympic contract to outfit the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. [5]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Ralph Lauren Store Locations - Stores.RalphLauren.com
- ^ Appelbaum p.40
- ^ Los Angeles Times p.D4
- ^ Business Wire
- ^ reportonbusiness.com: Marketing
[edit] References
- Appelbaum, Michael (2005-3-14), “Tennis Apparel, Anyone?”, Brandweek: 40
- “Ralph Lauren to Outfit Players at Wimbledon”, Los Angeles Times: D.4, 2006-6-18
- “Polo Ralph Lauren to Sponsor Morgan Pressel”, Business Wire: 1, 2006-3-15
[edit] External links
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