Ralph Lifshitz, better known as Ralph Lauren, is one of the fashion industry's biggest names, and his signature style is recognized around the world. His empire extends beyond clothing to include accessories and home décor, and the designer is also widely known for his popular line of Ralph Lauren fragrances.
Before his success in fashion, Lifshitz, who changed his name to Ralph Lauren as a teen, studied business science and served time in the Army. His path into the world of fashion was through ties, as he sold them for a tie company and also made them in his spare time. He created a "kipper" tie that was wider than the norm in America, and with no formal design training, he started his own business in 1967, selling ties out of a boutique and at department stores. In 1970, Polo Fashions launched a menswear line, and a women's collection followed in 1971. Today, the company's polo pony emblem is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, appearing on product from shirts to Ralph Lauren perfumes.
In 1978, the first Ralph Lauren fragrances were launched in partnership with L'Oreal, beginning with the iconic Ralph Lauren cologne for men known as Polo. In that same year would come the first Ralph Lauren perfume for her, simply titled Lauren. The success of these fragrances paved the way for additions to the line, including popular scents like Safari and Blue for women and Chaps and Polo Sport Ralph Lauren cologne for men.
Ralph Lauren perfumes and colognes run the gamut from romantic to sporty. Romantic and floral perfumes include 1990's Safari, 1998's Romance, and Ralph Lauren Love, which was launched in 2008. Sporty and fresh perfumes for women include the Big Pony collection of fragrances. For men, top-selling sporty scents include Polo Blue Sport, Extreme Polo Sport, and the Big Pony men's collection.