Men's Purple Label Clothing | Ralph Lauren SPRING 2017 SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL UNDERSTATED TONAL COMBINATIONS AND UTILITY SILHOUETTES INSPIRED BY THE SAHARA DESERT DEFINE THE LATEST COLLECTION FROM RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL Polo Ralph Lauren Definition : The Fashion Company Definition Directory Will Help You Learn About Polo Ralph Lauren Popular Fashion Brands Polo Ralph Lauren Definition : The Fashion Company Definition Directory Will Help You Learn About Polo Ralph Lauren In this section of the Apparel Search Directory, you will learn about Polo Ralph Lauren. Did you know that Apparel Search has been voting by me to be the best fashion company ? 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 , home (bedding, towels) and housewares. History The brand was launched in 1967 when Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifschitz, got a $50,000 loan. Prior to starting Ralph Lauren, he worked for Brooks Brothers . 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 was introduced 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 former Rhinelander Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City. Other flagship stores are located in Chicago, East Hampton, London, Miami, Milan, Palm Beach, and Tokyo. [2] Ralph Lauren is one of the largest retailers in the United States with revenues reaching $4.2 billion in 2007. [3] 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, chinos 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, and highest end, men's line, with classic, traditionally British styling. It includes ready-to-wear suits and sportcoats (made by St. Andrews and Cantarelli), dress shirts, sportswear , accessories, and footwear , as well as a collection of made-to-order suits, sportcoats, shoes (made by British company Edward Green ), dress shirts, exotic skin luggage , small leather goods, and jewelry. Purple Label is only available in Ralph Lauren stores, the company's online store and high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue .

Black Label: Black Label for men tends to have a more modern, Italian cut to its suits, sportcoats (made by Raffaele Caruso), dress shirts, and sportswear, with higher armholes and a slimmer silhouette. Black Label was started in 2005 and is also only available in flagship Ralph Lauren stores, the company's online store and selected high-end department stores. Polo Ralph Lauren: His first brand for men, and also the most widely available. This 'blue label' line spans from tailored clothing (ready-to-wear and made to measure), sportswear, accessories (including luggage) to small leather goods. Available at many department and specialty stores as well as Ralph Lauren stores and the company's online store. Polo Golf: A sporty collection catering to golfers since 1987 and often featuring celebrity golfers as advertising models (see Sports sponsorship below). [4] Polo Jeans Co.: Denim inspired line. Now discontinued in the US. Polo Denim: A 2007 relaunch of the Polo Jeans Co. line of 1996. Denim basics available online and in department stores. Lauren Ralph Lauren: Basics and suiting.

Divided into Green and Silver (slightly slimmer cuts) Label. Available primarily through department and outlet stores, and not at RL stores or ralphlauren.com. Ralph by Ralph Lauren: Exclusively available at Dillard's stores, this label offers suits, sport coats, dress trousers and suit vests. 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: An extension of the Collection line, with modern, high-end casual and semi-formal women's wear. Blue Label: Introduced as Blue Label in 2002. Similar in price point and styling to the Polo men's line; has classic American styling. Knit polo-style shirts with the Polo pony are part of the Blue Label line. Blue Label is available exclusively through Ralphlauren.com and through Polo Ralph Lauren stores, including factory outlet stores. Lauren Ralph Lauren: Less pricey versions of Blue Label styles. Available at Ralphlauren.com and higher-end department stores. Available in Plus sizes.

RALPH by Ralph Lauren: A now discontinued line for younger women, created in 1999. Desbribed in the history section of the company's web site as: "RALPH is the daughter of the Lauren woman—reasonably priced Ralph Lauren clothes for young women who want to be part of the lifestyle." [5] Ralph Lauren Golf: Golf attire collection for women. Launched in 1998. [4] Lauren Jeans Co.: The casual version of Lauren Ralph Lauren. Denim and casual basics available at Ralphlauren.com and in department stores. 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 , launched in 1998. Primarily distributed through RalphLauren.com Polo Sport: A discontinued line of casual sports clothing that was introduced for men in 1993 and women in 1996. It was retired in 2005 and ultimately replaced by RLX as well as the Golf and Tennis lines. The Polo Sport fragrance lines continue to exist as remants of this label (see Fragrances below).

RRL (pronounced "Double-R L"): A denim and sportswear line that takes its influence from the American West . Available in Ralph Lauren stores as well as several smaller signature Double RL stores. Rugby Ralph Lauren : A brand launched in 2004 focusing on collegiate apparel with a similar look to the pricier Polo and Blue Label brands. Sold at signature Rugby stores and through rugby.com. Not available at RL stores. Tennis: Sports clothing for tennis players. Special collections for the US Open tournaments (see Sports sponsorship below). Pink Pony: A charity line of sportswear and accessories all carrying a pink Polo pony. A portion of the proceeds benefit cancer research. Predominantly for women, the line also includes polo shirts for men. Create your own: A special collection of shirts, polos and hats as part of the Polo or Blue Label lines that can be monogrammed and individually arranged in terms of color and embroidery. Available at ralphlauren.com since 2003.

Clothing for children Ralph Lauren Children and Baby: Subdivided into Boys (sizes 2-7 and 8-20), Girls (sizes 2-6x and 7-16) and Baby (Layette and Infant, newborn to 24 months, boys and girls). Available at RL stores, ralphlauren.com and better department stores. some childrens wear includes: shoes, clothing and accessories Home Ralph Lauren Home: A luxury home furnishings and accessories line, including furniture (manufactured by Henredon furniture company), fabrics, tabletop, decorative accessories, bedding, bath, and paint. Sold to the trade and in Ralph Lauren stores, the company's online store as well as in select department stores. Lauren Home: An upscale home brand, carries only tabletop, accessories, bedding, and bath. Sold primarily through department stores. Ralph: A low priced and low thread-count line of urban bedding and bath towels available in the mid-1990s and subsequently discontinued. Ralph Lauren Paint: Featuring more than 500 colors, interior paint is offered under this label at ralphlauren.com, The Home Depot and selected specialty retailers.

Other brands The following labels are not immediately recognizable by the consumer as belonging to Polo Ralph Lauren, Inc.: Club Monaco : a modern label with classic New England influences, styled for men and women that operates its own chain of stores as exclusive points of sale . American Living: Classic, all-American collections including apparel for men, women and children as well as home sold exclusively at department store retailer JCPenney since January 2008. Chaps: Similar to the Lauren brand, though with a slightly lower price point. Sold at Kohl's , Dillards and Belk department stores. A true lifestyle brand, it offers items for men, women, children and also the home. Fragrances Polo Ralph Lauren corporation has launched various fragrances and related body care products for men and women since 1978. The products are manufactured under license by L'Oreal .

Men's fragrances Chaps and Chaps Musk (1979 and 1985) Monogram (1985) [discontinued] Extreme Polo Sport (1998) [discontinued] Polo Blue (2002) Ralph (2000) and its variations: Cool, Hot, Rocks, Wild (2004, 2006, 2006, 2008) Glamorous (2001) Safari (women 1990, men 1992) Polo Sport (1996) Ralph Lauren’s Corporate Social Responsibility | Fashion With a Heart - CSR & Sustainability Ralph Lauren’s Corporate Social Responsibility Company: Ralph Lauren About Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifschitz in 1939 in the Bronx, comes from a working-class background. He was the youngest of four children. As a teenager he worked part-time for department stores in New York City and became enamored with fashion design. After high-school, he was hired as a designer. Lauren was able to launch his own line in 1967 when he received a $50,000 loan.

Prior to starting Ralph Lauren, he worked for Datrian Riser. 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 stand-alone 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 was introduced in 1993. The company went public in 1997. The brand now produces clothing, accessories, fragrances, furniture, and operates the restaurant RL in Chicago. As of 2009, Ralph Lauren and their licensing partners operated 163 full-price and 163 outlet/factory stores around the world (including Club Monaco and Rugby stores). The company’s flagship store is located in the former Rhinelander Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City. Other flagship stores are located in Chicago , East Hampton , London , Miami , Milan , Palm Beach , and Tokyo.

In 2007, Ralph Lauren was one of the largest retailers in the United States with revenues reaching $4.2 billion. The company’s official web site and online shop were launched in 2000 as polo.com by RL Media, cooperation between Ralph Lauren and NBC . In 2007, Ralph Lauren acquired the NBC share of RL Media and the web site was re-launched as ralphlauren.com. The Ralph Lauren brand has expanded to a variety of luxury brands. Brands for men include: Purple Label, Black Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Polo Denim, Polo Golf, Lauren by Ralph Lauren. Brands for women include: Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RALPH by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Gold, and Lauren Jeans Co. There are also lines for both men and women, these include: RLX, Polo Sport, RRL, Rugby Ralph Lauren, Blue Label, Tennis, Polo Jeans Co., Pink Pony, and Chaps. In addition, there are brands for children and home products. Ralph Lauren has also come out with multiple perfumes and colognes for men, women, and unisex.

Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation I was not aware of Ralph Lauren’s corporate social responsibility until David Uricoli was decided to visit the Ralph Lauren website and researched their involvement. It was then that I discovered the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation. This foundation supports initiatives in cancer care, education and service in underserved communities. Polo Ralph Lauren engages in a number of philanthropic programs such as the reusable organic tote, Polo Fashion School, American Heroes Fund, Habitat for Humanity, Polo volunteers, Pink Pony Campaign, Hope Help & Relief Haiti, and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention. The PRL Foundation also helped fund the preservation of the American flag that inspired our national anthem. The reusable organic tote is made from 100% organic cotton. The tote can be purchased for $10 at the nearest Polo Ralph Lauren factory store. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of this tote are donated to the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation in support of philanthropic initiatives including the Pink Pony Fund and The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

In 2004, the Polo Fashion School was established to provide highly motivated, gifted students exposure to the world of fashion in the hopes that some will pursue a career in the industry. The Fashion School is an after-school course for inner-city teenagers. Since its establishment in 2004, 5 groups have participated in Polo Fashion School. They include: East Harlem School at Exodus House, Team Revolution, Harlem Children’s Zone, and the Hetrick-Martin Institute. Participants have designed a tote bag that reflects the values of the Hetrick-Martin Institute’s Harvey Milk School. This school is dedicated to the needs of the lesbian, bi-sexual, gay and transgender community. The Kiss Bag is available is available at Rugby online store and in New York City at the men’s and women’s Bleecker Street Ralph Lauren stores and the University Place Rugby store. All profits from the sale of the Kiss Bag will be donated to the Hetrick-Martin Institute. Polo Ralph Lauren raised $4 million for relief efforts and established a college scholarship fund for children of victims of the attacks; the American Heroes Fund.

In addition to the scholarship fund, Polo Ralph Lauren bestowed major gifts to the Twin Towers Fund, the American Red Cross and the New York Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund. The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation has also participated with the Habitat for Humanity with the launch of a recent program, “G.I.V.E (Get.Involved. Volunteer.Exceed): Your Jeans a New Home” to help families in need of decent, affordable places to live. More than 19,000 pairs of used jeans were collected from college campuses, employees and high school students and recycled into “green” building insulation for use in Habitat for Humanity homes in the South Bronx and Katrina ravaged Mississippi. In addition, the G.I.V.E. campaign donated $100,000 to build Katrina related replacement homes in Mobile, Alabama. Polo volunteers participated in the South Bronx and Mobile projects. Speaking of the Polo Volunteers, they are employees that share their time and talents as volunteers with non-profit community-based organizations. The Polo volunteers consists of company-wide initiatives, the Polo Adopt-a-School program and special projects.

Recent developments include God’s Love We Deliver, AIDS Walk, Free Arts Day, Light the Night Walk, Park Improvement, Race to Deliver, City Harvest, and Food Banks. The next three programs are the ones that I found most important in my opinion: the Pink Pony Campaign, Hope Help and Relief Haiti, and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention. I also have a personal bias because two of the three are cancer related and a few of my family members have been diagnosed with different types of cancer. The Pink Pony Fund for cancer care and prevention focuses on breast cancer. The fund supports programs for early diagnosis, education, treatment and research and is dedicated to bringing patient navigation and quality cancer care to medically underserved communities. Pink Pony provides proceeds to a worldwide initiative in the fight against cancer. However, only 10% percent of the proceeds from Pink Pony products benefit the Pink Pony Fund. When a polo shirt is $125 and an umbrella is $95, where is the other 90% going? I do not agree with this and will most likely never buy a Pink Pony product unless they significantly increase the percentage.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Pink Pony, Polo Ralph Lauren launched the first Pink Pony Online Auction in partnership with a luxury charity auction site, charitybuzz. The auction offered over 200 unique, once in a lifetime experiences; giving bidders a chance to step into the world of Ralph Lauren. The auction was offering a personal tour of Ralph’s world famous car collection, golfing with Polo golfer Tom Watson for a day, a weekend at Ralph’s round tree villa in Jamaica, and VIP front row tickets to Ralph’s next New York City fashion show. Highlights of the auction included a chance to meet Pro NBA basketball player LeBron James, a guitar signed by Taylor Swift, a meet-and-greet with Jerry Seinfield, a CNN tour with Anderson Cooper, the chance to bike with Lance Armstrong, and play tennis with Boris Becker. Unlike the original Pink Pony Fund, 100% of the net proceeds will go to the fund for cancer research. The auction ran from October 1st to October 21st. I would love to know how much the total net sales were but unfortunately I was not able to find any final information on the Internet.

Ralph Lauren supports the Hope Help & Relief is a campaign which helps ShelterBox to send tents and shelter survival boxes to Haiti. The mission is to create a community of leaders in music, fashion, film, finance and art to become agents of change for the renewal of Haiti. Each survival box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The launch benefit raised more than $1 million dollars to send 1,000 tents to Haiti. However, there are way more than 1,000 Haitians that are displaced or homeless due to the earthquake. The last program is the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention located on Madison Avenue. The center was created in 2003 through a partnership with nation’s leading cancer center Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The Center is an independent charitable organization whose mission is to provide screening for breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancer, and to facilitate diagnostic and treatment services in an area of New York City that has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the city ad in the nation. The Center is an extension of Ralph Lauren’s on-going commitment to cancer research and care. Under the guidance of Dr.

Harold Freeman, President of the Ralph Lauren Center and a national authority on issues of race, poverty and cancer, the Center’s mission is to offer the best cancer treatment available with a focus on personalized attention and community outreach. My Thoughts It is always a good thing when a company gets involved and tries to make a difference in the world. However, after thinking about the nine initiatives the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation oversees, I wonder if they are genuinely interested in all of them or did they support the causes based on popularity. Did Ralph Lauren only establish these organizations because they knew there was a high demand for them? To back up my point, I have done some research. As of 2007, there were 11,714,000 (5,353,000 for males and 6,361,000 for females) people in the United States with various types of cancer. The highest numbers of cases of cancer were seen in the breast, colon, rectum, and prostate. Consequently, Ralph Lauren could have seen this as their meal ticket. They are a well-known company and they know the public, especially their customers, would have faith in their endeavors.

So why not take one of the most talked about illnesses and make money off it? It sounds like a smart idea. For example, the Pink Pony Fund focuses specifically on breast cancer; again as of 2007, a little over 2.5 million women were diagnosed with this type of cancer. I definitely think women with cancer would purchase at least one piece of Pink Pony merchandise, especially if they don’t know that only 10% of the purchase is actually going to the fund. I have the same concept with Haiti. Haiti experienced the worst earthquake in 2010; which killed approximately 200,000 people and affected roughly 3 million. In efforts to help the country, celebrities responded quickly to contribute. How would Ralph Lauren look if they didn’t help out one bit? In result, we have the company supporting the Hope Help & Relief campaign. Professor Jimenez brought up a good point as well. There aren’t many programs that the actual employees of Ralph Lauren are involved in. The only organization that the employees invest their time in is the Polo Volunteers and we really don’t know how often they volunteer.

It’s nice to go and volunteer at a food bank or habitat for humanity, but it’s even more effective if you go more than once a year; which I truly think is how often the employees may go. Overall, the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation has wonderful programs. I like that they are trying to tackle the serious issues. I hope that in the future, they could get their employees more involved somehow. Sources: Fashion Law Wiki / Ralph Lauren: The Man, The Brand, The Trademark RALPH LAUREN: The Man, The Brand, The Trademark THE MAN Ralph Lauren was born as Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939. He grew up in the Bronx with his parents, Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants Fraydl and Frank Lifshitz, and three siblings. As a child Lauren didn’t have much interest in fashion, he wanted to be a baseball player, movie star, or an artist like his father, who earned his living as a house painter. Lauren attended Yeshiva Rabbi Israel Salanter elementary school, and one year of high school at the Manhattan Talmudical Academy. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School.

In 1957, upon graduation, he studied business at City College of New York, but quit after two years. [1] In 1959, Ralph and his brother Jerome changed their last name from Lifshitz to Lauren. Soon after Lauren left college, he was drafted into the army, and served from 1962-1964 as a supply clerk in the Bronx. [2] When Lauren was discharged from the army, he married Ricky Low-Beer, and began working as a salesman at Brooks Brothers. He later moved to the Rivetz Company, which designed ties for Brooks Brothers. But Rivetz Co. wouldn’t let him design ties, so he left, and convinced a tie company called Beau Brummel to let him start a division for them—Polo. THE BRAND In 1967, Lauren established his Polo label with an instantly successful line of handmade, wide and flamboyant ties—which stood in sharp contrast to the narrow and conventional tie fashion of the time. In 1968, Lauren formed his own company, Polo Fashions.

Lauren chose the name Polo because he was interested in promoting a lifestyle, and to him, the sport of Polo embodied a world of elegance and style. [4] In 1968, Lauren introduced his full menswear collection. By 1969, Lauren established the first shop-within-a-shop designer boutique for men in Bloomingdale’s in New York City. In 1971, Lauren introduced a line of womenswear, which included tailored shirts for women. These women’s shirts introduced Lauren's famous polo player emblem, which appeared on the cuff of the shirts. In 1972, Lauren introduced his famous polo shirt with the polo player logo. [5] Eyewear was launched in 1974, boyswear and the fragrances Polo for men and Lauren for women in 1978. Girls' clothing was introduced in 1981. In 1981, when Lauren opened a Ralph Lauren store in London, he became the first American designer with a European boutique. Lauren’s footwear collection followed in 1982, followed by an extensive home collection in 1983.

The home collection included bedding, towels, area rugs, wall coverings and tabletop and table coverings. The collection was later expanded to include furniture, lighting, carpeting, and a paint collection. In 1986, Lauren opened his flagship store in the famous Rhinelander mansion on Madison Avenue at 72nd Street. In 1987, Ralph Lauren changed the name of his company from Polo Fashions to Polo Ralph Lauren. Lauren soon followed with scarves, hosiery, sleepwear, leather goods, luggage, jewelry, and finally his Safari fragrance in 1990. In 1993, Lauren introduced his Polo Sport line, and opened the first Polo Sport store at 888 Madison opened across the street from the Rhinelander mansion. In 1994, Ralph Lauren launched his signature Purple Label, his high end menswear line. In 1996, came Polo Jeans Co., followed by Lauren’s performance sportwear line, RLX.

Currently, Ralph Lauren’s portfolio of labels include: Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, Chaps and Club Monaco. [6] Most recently, in 2008, Ralph Lauren launched American Living, a lifestyle brand created exclusively for JCPenny. In 2005, Lauren and the USTA (United States Tennis Association) signed a four year global US OPEN partnership, which included outfitting, Ralph Lauren branding, and event retail shops. [7] In 2006, Polo Ralph Lauren became the first external company in 129 years to outfit the Wimbledon’s 570 umpires, ball girls and ball boys. [8] In 2008, Lauren was named official outfitter for the U.S. team in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Today, on the retail level, along with the New York flagship, Polo Ralph Lauren operates over 300 stores worldwide, with stores now stretching from Buenos Aires to Beverly Hills, New York to London, including Milan, Tokyo, Moscow, and Paris in 2008. [9] Polo Ralph Lauren also runs the e-commerce site RalphLauren.com. In recent years, Polo Ralph Lauren has started to reacquire its licenses, in order to exert greater control over its branding. For instance, in early 2000, Polo purchased its European licensee, Poloco, and its Italian licensee PRL Fashions of Europe. In 2006, Polo bought back its main Japanese apparel license from Impact 21. And most recently, in February 2009, Polo Ralph Lauren will assume direct control of its wholesale and retail distribution in Southeast Asia from its licensee, Dickson Concepts International Limited, beginning in 2010. Polo Ralph Lauren went public in 1997. Ralph Lauren controls the company through his ownership of more than 85% of the voting shares of the company. Polo Fashions Inc. v. Extra Special Products, Inc.

In 1978, Ralph Lauren’s company, Polo Fashions, Inc. brought an action to enjoin Lomar Enterprises and Extra Special Products, companies that were marketing several lines of menswear utilizing trademarks that were similar to POLO and POLO by RALPH LAUREN, often in conjunction with a design of a polo player. [13] A magistrate recommended that the preliminary injunction be granted, and the defendants objected. The matter ended up before a Southern District of New York court. The essence of any trademark infringement is the likelihood that the infringing mark will cause confusion in the minds of the public. [14] Therefore, in determining whether Extra Special’s marks were infringing, the court examined the factors that needed to be weighed—specifically, the strength of the plaintiff's mark, the degree of similarity between both the marks and the products to which they are affixed, the competitive proximity of the products, the degree of care likely to be exercised by consumers, the presence of actual confusion and the motive of the alleged infringer in adopting the mark.

Strength of the Plaintiff’s Mark The strength of a trademark is relative to the trademark’s inherent “distinctiveness.” [16] Generic words, words which identify the nature of the product, are the weakest. [17] Descriptive words are more easily protected as trademarks if they gain a secondary meaning. [18] Suggestive and arbitrary or fanciful words do not require proof of secondary meaning before their trademark status will be protected. In Extra Special, the defendants argued that the word “polo” is a generic term that denotes certain types of shirts and ties. The court therefore explained that a trademark may shift categories depending upon the product to which it is affixed. So while “polo” is generic as to polo shirts and coats, it is descriptive as to other shirts and coats. The court found that Polo Fashions’ use of Polo, with or without their Polo Player Logo, had acquired secondary meaning in conjunction with men’s apparel. [20] The court also determined that the mark is fanciful as it is applied to other articles of wearing apparel—for instance, Polo’s use of “polo” on ties is considered fanciful.

[21] Therefore, the court held that while the defendants were not foreclosed from using “polo” descriptively, their use of such marks as POLO BY MARCO POLO and POLO in conjunction with the Polo Player symbol, using typestyle and label colors similar to plaintiff's distinctive materials, infringed Polo Fashions’ trademark. Similarity of Marks The defendants argued that the labels were dissimilar, in that they used the phrase “by Marco Polo” in the label. Regardless, the court in Extra Special found a very high degree of similarity between the Polo marks and the defendants’ marks. Defendants’ marks used the mark POLO alongside a Polo Player Symbol which was only slightly dissimilar from the Polo Fashions mark. The marks also used the same white lettering on a dark background. Moreover, some of the defendants’ shirts had a polo player symbol embroidered on the same place that it appeared on the Ralph Lauren shirts. The court went on to explain that in assessing whether the similarity of the marks is likely to cause confusion, a Court must weigh whether the combination of words, devices or symbols have been used to deceive the public into believing that the goods of the infringer originated with the plaintiff.

[23] Therefore, the court found that the identical POLO logos, the dominance of POLO on the label, the use of a polo player product, tended to promote confusion. [24] Similarity of Products The court found that while Polo Ralph Lauren’s products tended to be higher priced and superior, the defendants’ clothing were not obviously inferior, which increased the competitive proximity of the products. Along the same lines, both product lines were distributed nationally, and therefore had overlapping markets. Actual Confusion There was both circumstantial evidence of confusion—where distributors asked about the connection between the labels, as well as direct evidence of confusion, where customers were under the impression that the Lomar ties were manufactured by Lauren. Intent While intent is not dispositive, it is relevant as to confusion. If defendant can be shown to have intent to confuse, then the court can presume that the purpose was accomplished. Defendants argued that their infringing labels were variations of a previously registered label. However, the court rejected that argument because the earlier label was not in recent use, and their new labels created substantially different commercial impressions.

[25] So the court found that the similarities between the labels, among other evidence, supported a conclusion that defendants knew that confusion was probable. [26] Therefore, taking into account all of the above factors, the court granted Lauren’s preliminary injunction. Extra Special was a significant case for Ralph Lauren, in terms of its analysis of the distinctiveness of the Polo trademark and the protection it afforded the trademark. While it did allow that “polo” could be used in a generic sense, Extra Special established that “Polo” whether used alone or with the Polo Player Symbol has acquired secondary meaning with regard to menswear. Finally, Extra Special emphasized that, in assessing the likelihood of confusion, a courts could consider the combination of elements—words, typeface, placement, color—that could confuse the consumer as to the source of the product. After the ruling in Extra Special, Polo aggressively brought suit against infringers, instituting hundreds of trademark and unfair competition actions. PROTECTING THE PONY United States Polo Association, Inc. v. Polo Fashions, Inc. Polo Ralph Lauren’s feud with the United States Polo Association (USPA) began in 1984.

USPA was founded in 1890, and is the governing body of the sport of polo in the United States. In the late 1970's, the USPA began considering a retail licensing program which would utilize marks and symbols evocative of the sport of polo. [28] Before 1967, USPA had used an emblematic symbol which features a profile of a horse's head enclosed in a circle with a horseshoe above, crossed polo mallets and with a polo helmet at the intersection of the mallets. [29] But in 1981, USPA hired an artist to develop a new symbol, a frontal view of a mounted polo player with lowered mallet striking a polo ball. In 1982, USPA began to license its names and symbols on clothing and linens. [30] In 1984, USPA brought an action against Ralph Lauren’s Polo Fashions for trademark unfair competition, antitrust and tortuous interference. [31] PRL counterclaimed for, among other things, trademark infringement.

The disputes concerned the use of trademarks relating to the sport of polo and the word polo on clothing and other products, including perfume. USPA argued that its licensing program was founded with an intent to promote the sport of polo. However, the court found that the market that USPA had found and exploited, was that of persons seeking a ‘license’ to compete unfairly with PFI and infringe upon its marks. [32] USPA argued that PRL’s Polo Player Logo did not warrant trademark status. They argued that the logo was a weak mark, because it was a realistic depiction of a polo player, and it had not—as evidenced by USPA’s survey data—acquired a secondary meaning. PRL offered survey evidence that illustrated public identification with the mark. USPA then argued that this is just a trade-dress matter and not a trademark issue. However, the court, pointing to the opinion of Extra Special, weighs a combination of all those elements, including “trade-dress” and concluded that the identifying data that accompanying the allegedly infringing marks—such as a neck label and plastic blue and white bag with the word POLO on it—served only to intensify the likelihood of confusion.

[34] The court also pointed out that if USPA thought that the Polo Player symbol had no secondary meaning, why were the USPA licensees trying so hard to copy it? Ultimately, the trial resulted in a decision enjoining USPA from the use of their marks that infringed on PRL's trademarks, and a refusal to grant USPA opposition to PRL’s registration of the Polo Player Symbol. [35] The court reiterated, however, that PRL should not, in the future, take action with respect to any use of an equestrian figure. The court noted that “there are many ways in which the sport of polo and equestrian figures can be depicted and can be utilized even on wearing apparel and other products in general without infringing upon [Polo Ralph Lauren’s] trademarks.” [36] PRL USA Holdings, Inc. v. United States Polo Associations, Inc. In 1998, Jordache Ltd. entered into a licensing agreement with USPA to manufacture and distribute clothing bearing USPA logos. In 1999, Jordache began to manufacture and market clothing that bore four USPA “double horseman” logos.

In 2000, Polo Ralph Lauren (PRL) brought suit against USPA and Jordache for trademark infringement. After three years of pre-trial litigation, the parties settled on all issues except the four double horsemen marks. [37] In October 2005, the issue went to trial. PRL presented evidence that consumers would likely to confuse all of the horsemen marks with the Ralph Lauren Polo Player symbol. The jury found that only one of the USPA logos—a solid double horseman mark without USPA lettering—infringed on PRL’s trademark and was likely to cause confusion about the source of the products to ordinary consumers. PRL brought a motion for a new trial, on the grounds, among others, [38] that that the lower court erred by instructing the jury that USPA was a prior infringer (as per the 1984 action), and as such, had to be held to a higher standard of conduct, and had to keep a “safe distance” from PRL’s trademarks.

[39] However, the court declined to grant their motion, finding that the “safe distance” jury instructed was not warranted, because the court in Extra Special had ruled that USPA could use a horseman symbol—as long as it did not infringe on PRL’s copyright. Polo Ralph Lauren appealed. On March 4, 2008, the Second Circuit disagreed with PRL’s notion of a safe-distance jury instruction, and said that having such an instruction in a trademark infringement case would completely change the standard of liability. Since when one sues for trademark infringement, the standard is whether the secondary mark is likely to cause confusion. [40] However, if the “safe-distance” jury instruction was used, then the jury could find liability for a mark that was not likely to cause confusion. [41] Therefore, the court affirmed the finding that one of USPA’s horseman marks did not infringe on the PRL marks. THE FUTURE OF THE POLO TRADEMARK The final decision in PRL USA Holdings, Inc. v. U.S. Polo Ass'n, Inc. was heralded by some as a long- awaited loss for Ralph Lauren, who is often viewed as overly litigious.

[42] Future defendants will most likely, will use the case as a touchstone for the notion that Ralph Lauren does not have a monopoly on any equestrian figure or the sport of polo. However, taken on the facts of PRL USA Holdings, Inc. v. U.S. Polo Ass'n, Inc., future defendants probably will not have USPA’s advantages—USPA had been established in 1890, and had a long-standing and legitimate interest in promoting Polo (the sport.) Moreover, the court may have felt somewhat constrained by the previous 1984 litigation, United States Polo Association, Inc. v. Polo Fashions, Inc., where the court specifically said that there are many ways in which the sport of polo and equestrian figured can be depicted—even on wearing apparel. And in that 1984 decision, the court denied USPA’s opposition to Polo Ralph Lauren’s registration of the Polo Player Symbol, on the fear that Polo Ralph Lauren was attempting to monopolize equestrian figures—and accepted PRL’s representation that it will not seek to take action with respect to any use of an equestrian figure. Thus, although PRL USA Holdings, Inc. v. U.S.

Polo Ass'n, Inc. does seem to grant leeway to the utilization of equestrian figure logos, and to illustrate a less protective view of the PRL copyrights, it is unlikely that it signals a true turning of tide in the protectability of the Ralph Lauren’s Polo Player logo. Wardrobing Lawsuit In September 2002, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation faced a class action lawsuit brought by current and former employees alleging that the company violated California law by requiring retail employees to purchase Ralph Lauren clothing at their own expense as a condition of employment. [a] The suit challenged the common fashion industry practice of wardrobing, a uniform policy which requires retail employees to wear the retailer’s clothing. According to Ralph Lauren, the idea behind its wardrobing policy is for its sales associates to be “walking advertisement[s] of the store, projecting [the Polo Ralph Lauren] lifestyle image through proper coordination of clothing, accessories, footwear, and personal grooming.” [b] Under California state law, “When uniforms are required by the employer to be worn by the employee as a condition of employment, such uniforms shall be provided and maintained by the employer.

The term “uniform” includes wearing apparel and accessories of distinctive design or color.” [c] Furthermore, “No employer, or agent or officer thereof, or other person may compel or coerce any employee, or applicant for employment, to patronize his or her employer, or any other person, in the purchase of a thing of value.” [d] Serving as class representative, Toni Young, a Polo sales associate, alleged that Ralph Lauren violated these California statutes through its Special Purchase Program which “provide[s] employees with a method to purchase an on-the-job wardrobe at a 65% discount, without having to immediately expend the entire dollar amount. This is viewed as an advance (taken in clothing) to be repaid [by] means of a payroll deduction.” [e] According to the suit, despite the low salary paid to retail associates, they were required to maintain an up-to-date wardrobe of each season’s product line, and to wear complete outfits, including Ralph Lauren accessories. [f] Ms.

Young alleged that she spent more than $7,000 of her $22,000 gross salary in 2001 on Ralph Lauren clothing and accessories, and a total of over $30,000 on Ralph Lauren products since she began working for the company in 1997. [g] Plaintiff alleged that Ralph Lauren’s uniform policy gives the company an illegal advantage over other retailers by restraining competition. The uniform policy created a “captive, dependent, vulnerable and profitable base, i.e., Defendants’ sales associates, who must purchase Polo Ralph Lauren apparel and accessories as a condition of employment” and mislead customers to believe that “sales associates are loyal ‘fans’ of Ralph Lauren merchandise.” [h] To ensure that the employees were properly attired, Plaintiff alleged that “management teams inspect the Polo Ralph Lauren clothing and accessory selections purchased” and even subjected employees to “strip searches to ensure that all of their clothing is from Defendants’ product lines.” [i] Plaintiff claimed that management teams threatened sales associates with termination if they failed to abide by the uniform requirements, and issued written warnings to employees who violated the uniform policy. In October 2006, the lawsuit was settled.

Ralph Lauren agreed to pay $1,500,000 to the plaintiff class, comprising $1,000,000 in cash and $500,000 in transferable Polo gift cards; the maximum amount that a retail store employee could receive ranged from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on his length of tenure. [j] In addition to this lawsuit, similar lawsuits were settled against Chico’s ($800,000 settlement), the Gap and Banana Republic ($1.8 million settlement), and Abercrombie and Fitch ($2.2 million settlement). [k] It is anticipated that these wardrobing lawsuits will have a national effect on the fashion industry because, in addition to applicable state laws, some retailers may be violating a provision in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Although the FLSA allows employers to deduct the cost of a uniform from the employee’s paycheck, the employer is prohibited from doing so if it results in employees’ wages falling below the minimum wage. [l] [1] Michael Gross, Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren 85 (HarperCollins 2003).

Ralph Lauren lines, and 'who makes what' - a definitive guide New Posts All Forums:Forum Nav: Ralph Lauren lines, and 'who makes what' - a definitive guide This is meant to be a reference thread, and is based on information trawled from within this forum - so feel free to post your corrections/contributions! I will continue to update this post with new/corrected information as it comes in. I lurked on the forums for some time before joining, and have seen questions on Ralph Lauren make/labels come up frequently. Perhaps this thread can serve as a 'master source' of information regarding the Ralph Lauren labels, and the various 'OEMs' that make their clothing. THE RALPH LAUREN LABELS (in roughly descending levels of 'prestige'; there may be considerable overlap) 1. RLPL = Ralph Lauren purple label The top Ralph Lauren label, and by far the most expensive. A slightly schizophrenic line [ ] with some items being tailored versions of classic styles, and other items having a more whimsical nature. Superlative materials, superlative construction. Apparently, OTR RLPL suits are no longer made as a shift to pure MTM suits occurs. 2.

RLBL = Ralph Lauren black label The most 'modern' of the Ralph Lauren lines, with a slimmer 'modern' cut and silhouette. The second-most prestigious Ralph Lauren label, with prices higher than PRL, but still less than RLPL. 3. Ralph Ralph Lauren, or 'Double RL' A line with heavy western- and vintage-themed items (inspired by Ralph Lauren's ranch!), contains items of mostly excellent quality. The styling of this line is for the large part extremely distinctive, and may not be everyone's cup of tea. 4. PRL = Polo Ralph Lauren = Ralph Lauren blue label Ralph Lauren as most of us know it. A real mixed bag when it comes to quality, ranging from superb made in Italy pieces to absolutely terrible stuff made elsewhere. The styling is classic and the fit is baggier, with modern twists (e.g. neon colours, etc) thrown in. Value varies likewise. One may occasionally run into pieces from a (now discontinued) Italian-made line known as 'Signature Line' (Corneliani construction, apparently on par with RLBL/RLPL construction), with a higher armholes and slimmer fit than PRL as well. 5.

Rugby Youth-oriented line, apparently aimed at college students. The focus is on style, and a slightly 'fashion forward' interpretation of classic Trad staples. Quality overlaps heavily with PRL, but the quality of the Italy-made PRL always >> Rugby. 6. RLX Slightly difficult to classify in this lineup, a sports/performance line of clothing. Quality apparently varies from good to average. 7. Lauren by Ralph Lauren (LRL, sometimes known as green label) Ralph Lauren lost control of the ownership of this brand name to the Jones New York Apparel Group in a court battle. Contains clothing of almost-invariably inferior quality manufactured specifically for discount outlets and lower-end departmental stores. Do not confuse LRL with a 'real' Ralph Lauren product! Has a 'silver label' line with a slimmer cut, but the same poor quality - yum! 8. Chaps (Ralph Lauren) Has a story similar to Lauren by Ralph Lauren, a brand that has been spun off from the Ralph Lauren umbrella and contains items that, incredibly, are of even lower quality than LRL. Now beginning to be known as 'Chaps' alone.

SUITS, COATS & JACKETS RRL 'Made in Italy' - at least some are made by Caruso PRL 'Made in Italy' - Corneliani RLBL 'Made in Italy' - Caruso (not Corneliani as some have incorrectly claimed) RLBL 'Anthony' model: - Strongly tapered fit (drop 7) - No faux buttonhole stitching on cuffs, no surgeon's cuff - Dyed horn buttons RLPL 'Made in Italy' - mostly St. Andrews, some by Caruso (these have a slimmer cut) and Cantarelli (the parent company of St.

Andrews) SHOES PRL with 'Ralph Lauren' in script, followed by "Made In England" - Edward Green PRL with 'Ralph Lauren' in block letters, followed by "Made in England" - Crockett & Jones PRL with 'Ralph Lauren', followed by "Benchmade in England" - Crockett & Jones, or Alfred Sargent (look for a double row of nails on the heel) PRL with 'Ralph Lauren' in block letters (made in Italy) - Sesto Meucci (source: RL customer service hotline), some are also Sutor Mantellassi (lower line, not handmade line) RLBL - Crockett & Jones RLPL 'Made in England' - Edward Green RLPL 'Made in Italy' - ??? 1. RLPL = Ralph Lauren purple label The top Ralph Lauren label, and by far the most expensive. A hybrid 'look', containing classic styles that have been slightly more 'tailored' (read: slimmed down a little, but not to the same extent as RLBL) to match modern tastes. Superlative materials, superlative construction.

I would suggest RLPL should be thought of as a combination of classic styles with some items of a more whimsical nature. If you want to dress classic & conservative in RLPL, you certainly can. But it also offers the opportunity to indulge in a more outre and extravagant style. Quote: 2. RLBL = Ralph Lauren black label The most 'modern' of the Ralph Lauren lines, with a slimmer, more trendy cut and silhouette. The second-most prestigious Ralph Lauren label, with prices higher than PRL, but still less than RLPL. I wouldn't call the cut "trendy" necessarily, but it is certainly distinctive - strong shoulders, moderately high gorge, fairly low buttoning point, moderately short length, slim through the body. Quote: RLPL 'Made in Italy' - mostly St. Andrews with some odd jackets and blazers by Caruso (these have a slimmer cut), rumours of an impending shift to Cantarelli (umbrella group which owns St. Andrews) In the recent past it was St Andrews for most things with Cantarelli for some outerwear & some sports coats. The Caruso items in the range are generally more recent additions I think.

Re: RRL - some of it is very good quality. I wouldn't dismiss it as "generally poor quality". It's a bit of a mixed bag, however, from what I can tell. And some of the styling certainly isn't my cup of tea. Quote: Originally Posted by apropos 4. Rugby - youth-oriented line, apparently aimed at college students. The focus is on style, and a slightly 'fashion forward' interpretation of classic Trad staples. Quality overlaps heavily with PRL, but the quality of the Italy-made PRL always >> Rugby. 5. Ralph Ralph Lauren - I've never personally seen this label, but AFAIK is a western and vintage themed line that has now degenerated into items of generally poor quality. I guess it all makes sense now. If we are talking quality, all else (prices mostly) being equal, I'd take RRL over Rugby any day. Not every RRL pieces are made in the US like they used to be, but even then, they're still nicer than Rugby or for that matter 99% of Polo Ralph Lauren casual stuff. Select All Posts By This User A lot of this information is available by perusing old forum threads.

Although I do believe this is a useful thread. Although this may be outside the scope of a men's style forum, in my opinion a useful addition would be to add any information on the womens' lines. I've bought my wife a variety of pieces from collection, black, and blue labels over the years, and have seen pieces made in Italy, Hong Kong, China, and the USA-it would be interesting to hear who actually is sourcing the clothing to RL, similar to how StAndrews/Cantarelli/Caruso do mens' RLPL suits/jackets. That is, if anyone is privy to this information-I haven't found anything so far on the web that pertains to my question. Ralph Lauren an American Icon. | eBay Ralph Lauren an American Icon. Born Ralph Lifshitz October 14, 1939 in New York City is an American fashion designer and business executive, best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand, and a global multi-billion-dollar enterprise. He has become well known for his collection of rare automobiles, some of which have been displayed in museum exhibits.

As of September 2012, Forbes estimates his wealth at $6.5 billion dollars, which makes Ralph Lauren the 162nd richest person in the world. Ralph Lauren (pronounced loren) was born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx, New York to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants, from Pinsk, Poland (now Belarus): Fraydl (née Kotlar) and Frank Lifshitz, a house painter. Lauren attended the John Jay College Jewish Day School followed by MTA (now known as the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy), before eventually graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1957. He has said he had had heroes such as John F. Kennedy and James Stewart, hoping to acquire a "movie star" type of personality. In MTA Lauren was known by his classmates for selling ties to his fellow students. In a later interview about his early ambitions he referred to his Clinton yearbook, in which it stated under his picture that he wanted to be a millionaire. Born Ralph Lifshitz, he changed his surname to Lauren when he was 15 years old. “My given name has the word shit in it,” he told Oprah Winfrey.

“When I was a kid, the other kids would make a lot of fun of me. It was a tough name. That's why I decided to change it. Then people said, "Did you change your name because you don't want to be Jewish?" I said, "Absolutely not. That's not what it's about. My cousins who lived in California had changed their last name to Lawrence. So I just thought, "I'm going to pick a nice last name"—it wasn't particularly connected to anything or anyone." Career He went to Baruch College where he studied business, although he dropped out after two years. From 1962 to 1964 he served in the United States Army and left to work briefly for Brooks Brothers as a sales assistant before leaving to become a salesman for a tie company. In 1966, when he was 26, he was inspired to design a wide, European-style necktie he had seen Douglas Fairbanks wearing but the idea was rejected by the company he worked for as not being commercially viable. He left to establish his own company working out of a drawer in the Empire State Building, taking rags and turning them into ties.

He sold the ties to small shops in New York, with a major turning point when he was approached by Neiman Marcus who bought 100 dozen. In 1967, with the financial backing of Manhattan clothing manufacturer Norman Hilton, Lauren opened a necktie store where he also sold ties of his own design, under the label "Polo." He later received the rights to use the trademark Polo from Brooks Brothers, however Brooks Brothers managed to retain its rights to the iconic "original polo button-down collar" shirt (still produced today), in spite of Lauren's Polo trademark. In 1971, he expanded his line and opened a Polo boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. In 1970, Ralph Lauren won the COTY Award for his menswear line. Around that same time he released a line of women's suits that were tailored in a classic men's style, which was when the first Polo emblem was seen. It was on the cuff of the women's suit. Ralph Lauren released Polo's famous short sleeve mesh shirt with the Polo logo in 1972 and unveiled his first Ralph Lauren collection for women.

It came out in 24 colors and soon became a classic.He also gained recognition for his design after he was contracted to provide clothing styles for the movie The Great Gatsby as well as for Diane Keaton's title character in the 1977 film, Annie Hall. In 1984, he transformed the Rhinelander Mansion, former home of the photographer Edgar de Evia and Robert Denning, into the flagship store for Polo Ralph Lauren. This same year de Evia photographed the cover feature story for House & Garden on the Lauren home Round Hill in Jamaica, which had formerly been the home of Babe and Bill Paley. On June 11, 1997, Ralph Lauren Corporation became a public company, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RL. By 2007 Ralph Lauren had over 35 boutiques in the United States. 23 locations carried the Ralph Lauren Purple Label, including Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Boston, Charlotte, Washington DC, Chicago, Costa Mesa, Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Manhasset, New York, Palm Beach, Palo Alto, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Short Hills, Montreal and Troy.

Awards and honors In 2010, Ralph Lauren was declared Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. Car Collection Ralph Lauren is also well known as a collector of automobiles, some of which are extremely rare. A large portion of his over 70 automobiles are held in his estate in Katonah, New York. He owns a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, two Ferrari 250 Testa Rossas, three 1996 McLaren F1s (one of them an ultra-rare F1 LM), a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, a 1929 Blower Bentley, one Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, a Porsche 997 GT3 RS, a Bugatti Veyron, a 1930 Mercedes-Benz CountTrossi SSK (aka "The Black Prince") a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Mille Miglia., a Lamborghini Reventón and the rare Reventón Roadster.

His cars have won "best in show" at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance multiple times. In 2005 his collection was displayed at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. In 2011 17 prime members of his collection were exhibited at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. Ralph Lauren is Married to Ricky Anne loew Beer since 1964, they have three children. Andrew Lauren(1969) The Complete Guide to Buying Affordable Ralph Lauren Clothes | eBay The Complete Guide to Buying Affordable Ralph Lauren Clothes Share March 3, 2016 American designer Ralph Lauren is known for timeless, classic style that bridges generations and continues to be among the best-known fashion lines around the world. Although Ralph Lauren is a high-end designer whose clothes retail at a moderate to high price point, there are ways to get these fashions on a tighter budget. Finding a great deal on Ralph Lauren clothes can be easy for the shopper who knows where to look and what she is looking for. About Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren founded his Polo fashion line in 1967, selling men's neckties through high-end department stores.

He opened his first stand-alone boutique on the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in 1971, expanding into women's clothing. The Polo line remains the flagship line of the Ralph Lauren fashion brand, but the designer has since added other lines, some of which have been retired. Today Ralph Lauren is worldwide In addition to clothing, Ralph Lauren has fragrances, shoes, handbags , home goods such as bedding , and a variety of accessories. Where to Buy Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren clothes are sold through the company's bricks and mortar stores as well as in a variety of other retail locations. The clothing line can also be purchased in a variety of online locations, including on eBay. For those looking for affordable clothes from the Ralph Lauren brand, eBay is a popular destination where items can be found new and used and at all price points. The Ralph Lauren Lines In addition to the flagship Polo Ralph Lauren line , which remains the most popular and best-selling, the company has released other clothing lines under its brand. Some are still in production, while others have been retired. But even retired lines can still be found on eBay.

Polo Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Children's wear Baby Ralph Lauren Additionally, Ralph Lauren makes golf and tennis clothing and has a Big and Tall line of clothes as well. Some lines are more expensive than others, and some are available in both men's clothing and women's clothing . Each has its own fashion inspiration, although they all hold to Ralph Lauren's all-American feel. Feminine with a nautical inspiration Lauren Ralph Lauren Workwear and military-inspired clothes Price Differences Between the Lines The price range on Ralph Lauren's clothing line is a very big one due to the levels in the fashion lines. On the retail market, a dress from the Lauren collection might start under one hundred dollars, while dresses from the haute couture Collection line will carry a price tag in the thousands of dollars. It is much easier to find the more affordable lines at budget prices than the high end lines, although all of the Ralph Lauren fashion lines can be found by savvy shoppers at a lower price. It's important to know which line the article of clothing is from in order to determine whether a piece of clothing is a good deal.

Clothing Available from Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren offers a full range of clothing for men, women, and even children that includes sweaters, t-shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, skirts, and outerwear. There are also undergarments in the product line and accessories including scarves, hats, and gloves. Ralph Lauren has a full line of jeans , and several of the fashion lines also offer swimwear for men and women . Ralph Lauren clothing is known for using high-quality materials and construction that is built to last, so you will often find used pieces still in like-new condition. Recognizing Ralph Lauren Clothes Ralph Lauren is well known for the symbol that accompanies his Polo line, a man on horseback playing polo. This logo will appear on clothing from the Polo line, but isn't the only way to recognize Ralph Lauren clothes. The color-coded lines have tags in the color corresponding to their name. Thus, Black Label clothing has a black label, and Blue Label items have a blue label. The Lauren line will be labeled as such, as is the Collection line. Ralph Lauren zippers and buttons will either have the RL initials or the Polo logo on them.

Finding Affordable Ralph Lauren Clothing Thanks to the popularity of Ralph Lauren's clothing lines, there are a lot of places you can look to locate the clothes on a budget. One of the places Lauren fans are likely to get good deals on Ralph Lauren pieces from the first Polo line all the way up to the haute couture line is on eBay, where you will Lauren fashions, both new and used, available for sale at prices that are usually better than retail. Unlike a Ralph Lauren store or department store, you will find pieces from previous years' collections, often marked down. You will find everything from vintage pieces to current season pieces on eBay .. How to Find Ralph Lauren On eBay The best way to search for Ralph Lauren on eBay is to narrow down the desired item(s) much as possible. Simply searching for a Ralph Lauren dress is likely to bring back more than 35,000 results. It can be a bit challenging to know exactly which search terms might bring the desired results, since it's hard to say what terms sellers might have used, but adding the name of the desired style or the color starts to focus a search. Searchers can also use the navigation bar on the left side of the screen to narrow by category and refine a search.

One of the available refinements is by price, which will help buyers stay within their budgets. Using eBay to Buy Ralph Lauren Affordably One of the best ways to determine a good deal is to take a look at previously sold items that are similar to the one being sought. Looking around to see what other sellers are asking is another good method of comparison. eBay has several options for making a purchase. Many shoppers, especially for clothes, prefer the Buy It Now choice. It assures that when someone finds the perfect dress or other item, that she can buy it immediately rather than worrying about someone else making a higher offer. Buy It Now is a good way to get affordable Ralph Lauren clothes, especially for someone who researches a good deal. Some sellers also list with the Make an Offer option, which allows a buyer to make a private offer for the item in question. Sellers may accept or counter -offer. And, of course, buyers can also add their price to the public section of the eBay sale. Conclusion Ralph Lauren is one of America's premier designers, with a classic style that is recognized worldwide. Although Ralph Lauren's clothing lines range in price from moderate to very high, it's possible to buy his designs affordably.

Shopping for Ralph Lauren on eBay is one of the ways in which you can save money on this famous designer label. Look for the Ralph Lauren piece you want by style, color, size and even price range to narrow down the available choices and find precisely the fashion items needed or desired at a lovely price. Tags:

Question: What designer is connected with the clothing brands Purple Label, Black Label, Polo, Blue Label, RLX, Tennis, Pink Pony and Chaps?
Answer: Ralph Lauren