The Patriot
Elle India|December 2018

As he celebrates his fiftieth anniversary in the business, Ralph Lauren reflects on what it means to be an American designer today.

Veronique Hyland
The Patriot

“I never knew I would be a designer,” Ralph Lauren insists. “I didn’t even know what a designer was, but I knew I had something inside of me that I wanted to express.” The particulars of his story are well-trod: the kid from the Bronx who started out making ties, and with no formal design training whatsoever, now has 11 fashion labels, 1,014 stores, four restaurants, a philanthropic foundation, and six Olympics’s worth of team uniforms to his name. (And he still makes ties, too.)

It is, he acknowledges, a very American narrative, one that could have been spun by Horatio Alger. Not just the part where he summits the peaks of high fashion, but the part where he brings along with him the standbys that were once seen as casual workingman’s staples or regional curiosities. Would we be seeing ripped and weathered jeans or lumberjack plaids on the runway if not for his influence?

“When I started out, everyone in the fashion world seemed to look toward Europe for newness and real fashion,” Lauren recalls. “I was always inspired by America. I loved East Coast preppiness, the utility of the cowboy’s worn jeans, American folk art, the glamour of Hollywood, and the rich heritage of Native American craftsmanship. It’s always been there, right in front of us—on the streets, in the small towns, in the big cities—in the way people live.”

Bu hikaye Elle India dergisinin December 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Elle India dergisinin December 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

ELLE INDIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Bridal Trends, 2024 Edition
Elle India

Bridal Trends, 2024 Edition

Bralettes, corsets and mermaid skirts emerge as the new must-haves when it comes to wedding dressing

time-read
4 dak  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
All The Feels
Elle India

All The Feels

Maahi Shah takes a deeper look at the big little moments in a bride's life as she prepares for her wedding day

time-read
5 dak  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
ISLAND ESCAPADE
Elle India

ISLAND ESCAPADE

Here's why Fiji is the ultimate destination to celebrate your love.

time-read
1 min  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
ROMANTIC ESCAPES
Elle India

ROMANTIC ESCAPES

Wondering where to head for a honeymoon getaway? Isha Mayer recommends five luxurious destinations for your honeymoon

time-read
3 dak  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
The Taste Of Weddings
Elle India

The Taste Of Weddings

What goes behind planning those extravagant grazing tables and indulgent bites at weddings? Top gourmet caterers let Isha Mayer in on their processes

time-read
4 dak  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
Challenging Convention One Ritual at a Time
Elle India

Challenging Convention One Ritual at a Time

Maahi Shah speaks to five female priests who have been breaking new ground while upholding faith and pursuing a passion for learning

time-read
6 dak  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
FIJI: A TROPICAL FOR INDIAN HAVEN WEDDINGS
Elle India

FIJI: A TROPICAL FOR INDIAN HAVEN WEDDINGS

From pristine beaches to cultural familiarity, discover why Fiji is the perfect destination for Indian weddings.

time-read
2 dak  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
MAKE YOUR WEDDING FANTASY A REALITY
Elle India

MAKE YOUR WEDDING FANTASY A REALITY

The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace offers luxurious venues, exquisite dining and unforgettable moments

time-read
3 dak  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
SHINING BRIGHT EVERYWHERE
Elle India

SHINING BRIGHT EVERYWHERE

Lab-grown diamonds for every occasion—luxury and affordability

time-read
1 min  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024
BRIDAL BEAUTY, REDEFINED
Elle India

BRIDAL BEAUTY, REDEFINED

Christine Ko, CEO of Moira Cosmetics, shares her insights on makeup for brides and the art of achieving radiant skin.

time-read
1 min  |
ELLE Wedding Book 2024