Polo Ralph Lauren: Difference between revisions

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==Imitations==
The majority of Polo Ralph Lauren's apparel is manufactured in China, with few exceptions to its product line, such as its men's Black Label business line (Panama), Purple Label (Italy), some Blue Label (Italy), some shoe lines (Italy, England, and France), "Rugby" (Italy & US), and the popular PRL polo shirts (primarily USA with occasional Asia-Pacific sales stock sourced from Sri Lanka). Like watches, the Ralph Lauren brand has become a desirable item to copy-cat with many cheap imitation PRL products widely available throughout Latin America and many Asian countries, particularly Bali and Jakarta. PRL is currently pursuing civil action against dealers in Ubud who falsely claim to be factory outlet operators, selling counterfeit items to tourists. {{fact}}


==Notes==
==Notes==

Revision as of 18:52, 24 July 2007

Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
Company typePublic (NYSE: RL)
IndustryTextiles - Apparel Clothing
Founded1967
HeadquartersNew York, New York, USA
Key people
Ralph Lauren, Chairman & CEO
ProductsApparel, Home, Gifts &, Fragrance
RevenueIncrease$3.746 billion USD (2006)
Increase$308.00 million USD (2006)
Number of employees
12,800 (2006)
Websitewww.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.

History

The brand was launched in 1967 when Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifschitz, purchased the name from Brooks Brothers, the company he worked for at the time. 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 came about 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 Rhinelander Mansion at 867 Madison Avenue at 72nd Street, also in New York City.

Ralph Lauren is one of the largest fashion designer/retailers in the United States, with sales almost reaching four billion dollars per year.

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 and the oxford cloth button-down shirt.

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:

Clothing for men

  • Purple Label: Launched in 1994, this is Ralph Lauren's signature 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, 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: Similar in price point to Purple 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 discount stores.
  • Chaps Ralph Lauren: Similar to the Lauren brand, though with a slightly lower price point.

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: A modern, high-end casual and semi-formal line with prices just below Collection.
  • 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.
  • Lauren Jeans Co.: The ladies' version of the relaunched Polo Jeans Co. line. Denim basics available online 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.

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.
  • RRL (Double RL): 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

Clothing for children

Home

  • Ralph Lauren Home: A luxury home furnishings and accessories line, including furniture (manufactured by Henredon furniture company), fabrics, tabletop, decorative accessories, bedding, and paint. Sold to the trade and in Ralph Lauren stores.
  • Lauren Home: An upscale home brand, carries only tabletop, accessories, and bedding. Sold primarily through department stores.

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.[1]

In 2006, 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.[2]

The company also sponsors US professional golfers Tom Watson, Jonathan Byrd, Davis Love III, and Luke Donald; as well as LPGA golfer Morgan Pressel.[3]



Notes

  1. ^ Appelbaum p.40
  2. ^ Los Angeles Times p.D4
  3. ^ Business Wire

References

  • Appelbaum, Michael (2005-3-14), "Tennis Apparel, Anyone?", Brandweek, p. 40 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  • "Ralph Lauren to Outfit Players at Wimbledon", Los Angeles Times, pp. D.4, 2006-6-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  • "Polo Ralph Lauren to Sponsor Morgan Pressel", Business Wire, p. 1, 2006-3-15 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)

External links

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