Ralph Lauren
Founder, executive chairman and chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American designer who founded his company in 1967 and built it into one of the world's best known lifestyle brands. He has been executive chairman and chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation since stepping down as chief executive in 2015, with Patrice Louvet serving as CEO since 2017.
| Role | Executive chairman and chief creative officer |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Ralph Lauren Corporation |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Born | 1939, New York |
| CEO | Patrice Louvet (since 2017) |
| Honours | Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025) |
Who is Ralph Lauren?
Ralph Lauren, born in the Bronx, New York in 1939, is the founder of Ralph Lauren Corporation. Starting with neckties in 1967 and the first full Polo menswear line in 1968, he built a brand that sells an idea of American style across clothing, accessories, home, fragrance and hospitality. He serves as executive chairman and chief creative officer and is a member of the board of directors.
Career
The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in June 1997. Lauren stepped down as chief executive in September 2015, when Stefan Larsson took over, and retained the roles of executive chairman and chief creative officer. Patrice Louvet has been president and chief executive since July 2017. In September 2026 the company announced further changes to its executive team effective 29 November 2026, while confirming that Lauren and Louvet continue in their roles.
His recognition includes many CFDA awards, among them a Lifetime Achievement award in 1992, an honorary knighthood (KBE) and, in January 2025, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, making him the first fashion designer to receive it.
- 1967: founds the business with a line of ties
- 1968: first Polo menswear line
- 1997: listing on the New York Stock Exchange
- 2015: steps down as CEO
- 2017: Patrice Louvet becomes CEO
- 2025: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Ralph Lauren and technology
Under Lauren's leadership the company has experimented with technology in product and retail. In 2014 it introduced the PoloTech shirt, which used smart fabric to capture biometric data from the wearer. In its September 2026 leadership announcement the company said that the role of its newly appointed chief operating and product officer would include responsibility for AI strategy.
Influence on the fashion business
Lauren pioneered the idea of a fashion company as a complete lifestyle brand, with consistent storytelling across stores, advertising and categories far beyond apparel. His flagship stores, designed to feel like homes, and his early move into home furnishings became a template for many brands. The company reported revenue of 6.63 billion US dollars for fiscal year 2024, which ended in March 2024.
Why it matters
Ralph Lauren is one of the few founders still active at the head of a large listed fashion company. His model of a founder as chief creative officer working alongside a professional chief executive is often cited as a way to combine creative continuity with operational management at scale.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Ralph Lauren?
Ralph Lauren is an American designer born in 1939 who founded his company in 1967. He is executive chairman and chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Is Ralph Lauren still CEO of his company?
No. He stepped down as chief executive in 2015 and Patrice Louvet has been president and CEO since 2017. Lauren remains executive chairman and chief creative officer.
