the designer's life and work in pictures

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Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz in October 1939 in the Bronx, New York City. After a stint in the US army and two years studying business at The City University of New York, he became a salesman for a tie company, where, in 1967, he convinced the company's president to let him start his own line. He was just 28 years old.

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The Ralph Lauren Corporation started in 1967 with men's ties and then sportswear the following year. By 1969, Bloomingdales sold Lauren's menswear line exclusively, giving the brand its own boutique, something the department store had never done before. In 1971, the designer launched womenswear and opened its first standalone store.

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In 1974, Lauren outfitted the entire male cast of The Great Gatsby, including Robert Redford.

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Three years later, the designer created the costumes for Diane Keaton and Woody Allen in Annie Hall.

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Lauren married Ricky Ann Low-Beer on 20 December 1964 after the two met in a doctor's office six months previously, where she was working as a receptionist.

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The couple went on to have three children together (Andrew, David and Dylan). They are pictured here at their home in East Hampton, New York in 1977.

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The couple posed with their two eldest children outside their home.

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The married couple were photographed in the back of a limousine as they headed to a charity event in 1977.

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The designer was pictured in his 17th Avenue office in 1977.

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And with women wearing his designs in his store that same year.

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Lauren seen in 1979 for a feature in the Toronto Star about his then already booming fashion empire.

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Lauren posed alongside Diana Vreeland in December 1984.

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The designer celebrated with a glass of champagne after presenting his autumn/winter collection in 1987.

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Lauren and wife Ricky attended the opening of the Polo Country Store in July 1988.

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Lauren posed with fellow designer Norma Kamali in 1990 during an event hosted by the CFDA to benefit AIDS research.

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The designer was seen at the evening gala for the cause with Donna Karan and Betsey Johnson.

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Lauren took his bow wearing a fringed suede jacket in 1990.

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Cindy Crawford was seen on the catwalk for Ralph Lauren in 1991.

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The designer pictured relaxing in July 1992.

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In October, he was photographed with Audrey Hepburn at the Casita Maria Fiesta Benefit.

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