Ralph Lauren founded Polo/Ralph Lauren Corporation in the late 1960s starting with wide ties before expanding to menswear. By the 1980s, the company had become associated with American style and sold a wide range of products including fragrances, clothing, and home goods. Key dates include the introduction of Polo cologne in 1978 and the company going public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1997 while continuing to expand its global presence.

1. Ralph Lauren
William Burkett

2. History
• The Polo/Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) has become one of the best-known fashion
design and licensing houses in the world. Founded by American designer Ralph Lauren in
the late 1960s.
• The company boomed in the 1980s as Lauren's designs came to be associated with a
sophisticated and distinctly American attitude. The company's first products were wide
ties, but it soon designed and manufactured an entire line of menswear before entering
the more lucrative women's fashion market as a designer and licenser. By the 1980s, the
Polo/Ralph Lauren name helped sell a wide array of products, including fragrances and
accessories for men and women, clothing for young boys and infants, and a variety of
housewares, shoes, furs, jewelry, leather goods, hats, and eyewear.

3. Key Dates
Key Dates:
1968:
Polo Fashions is created by tie salesman Ralph Lauren.
1974:
The first ads appear in NYC newspapers.
1978:
Polo cologne is introduced.
1983:
An extensive, licensed home furnishings line debuts.
1986:
The flagship store opens on Madison Avenue.
1997:
Polo/Ralph Lauren goes public.
2003:
The European headquarters moves from Paris to Geneva.

4. Stock
• Ralph Lauren Corp
• NYSE: RL - Feb 28 11:31 AM ET
• 160.60-1.19 (-0.74%)