20th Century's Most Influential Artists
Ralph Lauren: Clothing With Brand Name Power
by Welton Chang

Ralph Lauren has descended into history as one of the most successful designers in the 20th century. He is the CEO of Polo, his clothing company. Just recently, Polo posted earnings of $1.4 billion dollars and it is said that Lauren's various different lines have totaled $5 billion dollars worth of sales from retailers.

Ralph Lauren was born in the Bronx. He got his first job in 1967, in which he designed ties. He was so successful that he started his own business. Because Lauren wanted a company that signified wealth and prestige, he named it Polo. In 1970, he started to produce major menswear and followed later by his Lauren line for the females. In 1978, Lauren created a fragrance Polo, which is still popular among the richer and older generation.

Lauren started his Polo Sport line in the early 90's that became popular among the teenage crew and younger generation. Polo Sport was designed for the active person but still looked good after a day of sweating on the courts and fields. His Polo Jeans are inexpensive jeans and T-shirts offered to the masses. His Polo line has been such a hit because of the fact that he geared it towards the mid 80's b-boy culture and even to Brooklyn's fabled 'Lo Life Gang.

From Polo Sport Extreme, to Ralph Lauren Chaps, Polo and Lauren have been able to hold a $2 billion dollar empire in the industry and still growing. Only time will tell if Lauren's hip clothing will last another century. From the looks of things, it just might.