Very Ralph takes a look at the 50 plus years of the brand’s dominance in the fashion industry and the man behind it.

Unrecorded has always been inspired by Ralph Lauren’s approach to style and the fabrics he has used, especially in his 1980s and 90s ranges.

His name has become famous for promoting luxury to the masses. Recently, American TV network HBO captured the life story of him and the company he co-founded in a documentary directed by Susan Lacy.

Founded in the late 1960s, the brand grew through portraying a glamorous and aspirational East Coast lifestyle. That brand association was cemented when Lauren himself styled Robert Redford for the 1974 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, a story set in amongst the infamous hedonism of New York in the 1920s. 

The son of Belarus migrants, it has been said that Lauren’s personal road to success and his brand aesthetics are advertisements for the American dream. The fact that the company is still boasting mainstream popularity proves Lauren’s cheerleaders right, who say his genius lies in his trend-defying designs.

HBO’s documentary Very Ralph takes a look at the 50 plus years of the brand’s dominance in the fashion industry and the man behind it. Featuring interviews with Lauren and his peers, the film is a reminder of the company’s continuing influence, and also that, in certain corners of the fashion and entertainment industries, Lauren is beyond criticism. It’s a gushing portrayal of Lauren’s career from boutique necktie manufacturer to global success story. "On the runway, you're rolling the dice again and again and again," he says, a good reminder that playing it safe isn’t a good tactic for success, and why innovation is essential. It’s safe to say that Lauren’s bets have paid off.

Text: Nicholas Burman