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Billionaire from the Bronx: How Ralph Lauren Achieved Success

Article Overview: “There is a way of living that has a certain grace and beauty,” says Lauren. “It is not a constant race for what is next, rather, an appreciation of that which has come before.”

Billionaire from the Bronx: How Ralph Lauren Achieved Success

“There is a way of living that has a certain grace and beauty,” says Lauren. “It is not a constant race for what is next, rather, an appreciation of that which has come before.”

Much as he appreciates those who have come before him, Lauren hopes that his Polo collection will be remembered for some time to come. He might not have become a rabbi like his mother wanted, but he has managed to become one of the best-selling American designers of all time. How did this boy from the Bronx do it?

Excitement: Lauren did not just take chances with his clothes, although his pleated trousers and tweed jackets for women did that too. Lauren wanted to make everything about his brand exciting. From the way the clothes fell on the body to the way they were presented in stores and on runways, Lauren knew that if his brand was going to be remembered, he had to give customers an experience they would not soon forget.

Grit: His mother was disappointed in him for not becoming a rabbi. Bloomingdales rejected him for being too daring in his designs. In his early years, it seems as if no one was on side with Lauren. But he did not care. He stood his ground, followed his passion, and designed how he wanted to design. That was how he made a name for himself.

Consistency: “What matters the most to me are clothes that are consistent and accessible,” says Lauren. “I believe in clothes that last, that are not dated in a season. The people who wear my clothes don't think of them as fashion.” In the hopes of building a lasting brand, Lauren focused on creating clothes that were exciting, stylish, and consistent all in one.

Sensibility: Whether it was his children, the interns working at his company, or the customers in his stores, Lauren made sure to listen to what the young people were saying about fashion tastes and trends. He was his best customer, but he did not want to lose the others.

Discipline: With no previous experience and no degree, Lauren knew he had to work twice as hard as others to achieve success. By going to business school at night and working retail during the day, Lauren acquired a unique skill set that helped propel him to the top.

“Back then when I mentioned Polo most people would look at me funny and say ‘You mean like Marco Polo?’” recalls Lauren. “I’m forever grateful that the company then through now has always had a substance of great dimensions and the potential to grow on a vast number of levels with attitudes and ideals shaped by my initial dream to express myself.”

Now, nearing 70 years old, Lauren insists he is still just getting started and that his fashion empire still has leaps and bounds to go. “I’ve always believed one could live many lives through the way we dress and the places we travel to, even if just in our imagination,” he says. “The world is open to us, and each day is an occasion to reinvent ourselves.”

Related Articles
  Lesson #5: A Strong Work Ethic is A Work Essential
  Fashion Forward: The Early Years of Ralph Lauren
  Lesson #2: Do Not Try to Please Everyone All the Time
  Lesson #3: Build a Brand that will be Around Tomorrow
  Ready to Wear: Lauren Launches His Line

Article Tags: american designers, billionaire, bloomingdales, clothes, consistency, discipline, excitement, fashion tastes, grace and beauty, interns, passion, polo collection, rabbi, ralph lauren, runways, trousers, tweed jackets



Related Forum Posts
Re: New from Seattle, USA - Welcome to the club. It is nice having a Billionaire among us
Re: Alexa Ranking Goals - Thanks for the monthly update Evan! And congrats to everyone who has gained. Also, not that I am worried about it, but I am showing my site as under 265,000 right now so that would put me in the Goal Achieved category instead of the gaining momentum! I'll make my new goal 200,000 for next month.
Re: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD...RIGHT NOW!!! - Success = Thinking (Head) + Heart (Feeling / Interest) + Hand (doing/ action). Success - H3 Robert
Re: Just a simple comparison & contrast of our truths in crisis. - I I totally agree you have to be extremely grateful. I am extremely grateful because I have all my body parts complete, look all the people that don't. Look at all those soldiers that honoring their country go to war get killed. Believing in their cause not only now but threw out history that never left no children. We all must be Thankful for those that helped our loved ones the old ancestors that were so wise in been abundant and fruitful that left us a body to live in. Man and how blessed are we can you imagine how many people never had children or couldn’t and we are the lucky descendants of the ones that could. Come on now bless be the Lord Almighty King and Lord of heaven. By just existing you should be humbled and eternally meek for such success. A sacred quote from a very wise woman If that is not enough, look at all the sperms that fought for your place and you’re the winner. I wish I could have reached that Billionaire with this or any person thinking that it is a great shame and people should mourn and be sensitive to that evil that won and prevent it from happening again. A person in that position or any alive would have influence allot more people before going. But unfortunately you do not know what you have until you don’t have it. That’s why it is wise to be close to your creator the founder while you can.
Re: Success - I study success intently, and would like to share: Here's two excellent and nearly identical success-formulas from a couple of the world's masters. FIRST FORMULA: 1. Passionate Desire 2. Clear, Definite Purpose 3. Committed Decision 4. Take Action In Faith (Bonus Secret Sauce: 5. Repeat Consistently) I made a video about this, but am not allowed to link it yet. Google "Ryze Success Steps" for it. Oh, and this is Napoleon Hill's (Master Of Success Laws)'s Formula. SECOND FORMULA: 1. Passionate Desire 2. Understand It Is Already Done (Faith) 3. Relax & Allow It To Unfold (Go about your life calmly) This one is courtesy of Abraham-Hicks (inspiration for the movie The Secret). Hope that helps!


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