Elite Profile: Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion icon who built an empire on hard work and is yet another testament to the American spirit.  The Bronx, New York native currently maintains a net worth of $5.8 billion dollars. (March 2011) Ralph Lauren attended Baruch College in New York, but did not complete his degree in business. Instead of choosing the prescribed route of finishing his education, he chose to pursue his passion.

His first step into the world of fashion was a retail job selling menswear at the Brooks Brothers department store. Unsatisfied with the retail side of the fashion industry, he went on to pursue his artistic aspirations designing ties for Beau Brummel in 1967. 1967 proved to be a monumental year for Ralph Lauren, as he moved forward in launching Polo this year with only $50,000 to his name. From the inception of his brand, Lauren’s creations were characterized by a moneyed style that evoked the look of English aristocracy, as adapted by the sporty, East-Coast American elite.

For decades, he built the brand based on quality and strategic brand positioning. By the 1990s, his brand name had become global. In 1994, Ralph Lauren sold a 28% stake of the company to Goldman Sachs for $138 million, and the company subsequently went public 3 years later. As a result of this strategic business development, Lauren has went on to become a billionaire. Today, Lauren’s classic designs span men’s and women’s clothing, luggage, furniture, fragrances; an outfitter for U.S. Olympic team.

The Mansions

Double RL Ranch

Location: Double RL Ranch is located just outside Telluride, Colorado and is situated in the southwestern portion of the U.S.

Accommodation: Purchased for $27.5 million in 1982, the property is spread across an area of 17,000-acres and the ranch has 5 hand painted tepees, which have been set apart by his Native American friend Billy in a special ritual. Each Tepee is reminiscent of Ralph’s unusual style and sense and is complete with Navajo artifacts, rustic furniture, vintage Navajo blankets and a tattered American flag. Ralph Lauren has built assembly areas, which are similar to outdoor living space featuring a dining table and chairs near an outdoor fireplace as well as a sitting area accented with denim cushions and Native American-inspired pillows. The ranch is filled with horses and ranch has the indispensable cowboys and dogs herding the animals.

Manhattan Penthouse

Location: The apartment is located in Manhattan New York.

Accommodation: This Fifth Avenue duplex, earlier designed by Angelo Donghia, is a lavish apartment with posh white interiors. The highly sophisticated styling is bolstered by high gloss lacquered surfaces, a plush fur throw, embossed crocodile lamp bases and the zebra print mirror which is just what you’d expect from his eponymous brand’s reputation. His apartment also has the hints of his biggest signature looks, the safari chic.

The living room and luxurious bedrooms are designed in a very elegant manner with sculptures by famous artists. The living room is decked with a sculpture by Rembrandt Bugatti displayed behind a custom-made sectional, a cocktail table, and leather-upholstered carbon-fiber chairs. The entrance hall has a photo of the Chrysler Building by Sheila Metzner and a custom-made mirror by Mark Albrecht. If you thought that the aforementioned was amazing, the dining space is decorated with Vintage light fixtures and leather-upholstered chairs by Ralph Lauren Home and a custom-made zebra-skin mirror by Richomme.

Long Island Beach House

Location: The beautiful holiday home is located on the tip of Long Island, New York.

Accommodation: The property sits on the 5.5 acres of area and is a compact and cozy home that boasts Lauran’s taste of elegance in every nook and corner. The house has spacious living room with stone fireplace, white cypress club chairs and a sofa upholstered in Ralph Lauren Home’s Dutton Linen. The house also boasts model sailboat from Senza Tempo and Barcelona daybed by Mies van der Rohe from Knoll complete the relaxed nautical look. The master bedroom is cozy and has been designed by Ralph Lauren himself  and is an epitome of a classy beach resort bedroom. The entire house is colored in either white or earthy colors to give it a natural look. The house has its own quarter for guests and farmhouse-styled, stone-clad kitchen/diner with pure white cushions and white leather chairs. The best feature of the house is  an idyllic patio overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Bedford Mansion

Location: His mansion is located in  Bedford in the in the East of England that has many Victorian homes including Ralph’s mansion.

Accommodation: the mansion is spread in the area of 17,000 square foot is surrounded by greenery and evokes a feel of English countryside. The house is a perfect balance of contemporary and antique and is adorned with classic paintings like A Woman Hunting, 19th century, by Alfred Dedreux; Henry Koehler’s 1927 Hunting Coats and Whips of the Pytchley Hunt Staff; and Piebald Horse in a Field, 19th century, by Thomas Moyford.

Jamaican Villa

Location: The Jamaican villa is located at the Round Hill resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Accommodation: Ralph had to add many modifications to the original home like improving upon the tiny swimming pool. “It was like a bathtub,” he says, the pool was replaced with one suitable for laps, and also added a large screening room in which they often laid back in evening for watching a movie. The home is open to the rain forest that surrounds the 20-acre property on three sides.

Cottage 26

Location: This mansion with breathtaking water view is located in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Accommodation: The pagoda is surrounded by four bedrooms. “It was beautiful before,” says Josef Forstmayr, Round Hill’s managing director, “but Ralph Lauren improved it. He expanded the terraces, and he made it appear more spacious by lifting the doors and windows by two feet and the roofline by three feet. It’s now very dramatic, and it relates better to the ocean and the rocks.”

The Cars

Bugati Veyron super sports

Ralph Lauren’s Bugati Veyron super sports car is another luxury vehicle in the artistic fashion designer’s car collection. The designer’s plush vehicle is reported to be one of the Super Sport World Record Edition cars. Ralph ordered the pricey car with a custom specification. Featuring three different body colors in form of black carbon fiber, orange accents and matt black side vents, the customized car looks entirely distinctive from other cars. Veyron’s dazzling exteriors and comfy spacious interiors make it an ideal sports car. The pleasant Bugati car was delivered to the designer’s holiday home in Colorado after the “Pebble Beach event” held last year.

1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe

Ralph Lauren owns a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe which is one of the most bizarre, elusive and expensive car in his collection. It boast its low stance, 200 bhp engine, lightweight construction, 123 mph (200 kph) top speed and influential teardrop body.

1960 Ferrari 250 GTO

Ralph Lauren also owns one of the rarest and most valuable Ferraris ever produced. It was even driven to victory in a number of races.

1956 Jaguar XKSS

He also owns a 1957 Jaguar XKSS which has a six cylinder engine with 3442 cc capacity. It can reach a top speed of 150 miles-per-hour.

1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spyder

This car owned by Ralph Lauren is best known for its high speed. It has a top speed of 109 miles per hour. Another significant feature that made this car a part of Ralph’s car collection is its impressive 255 horsepower.

1996 McLaren F1 LM

Ralph Lauren owns a McLaren F1 LM. This is a super powerful car whose torque is an impressive 562 lb.-ft. This is perfect to rush the LM through its 6-speed gearbox to 100 mph in a mere 5.9 seconds.

1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa

His car collection also includes a 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa.

1948 Ford “Woody” Station Wagon

Raplh Lauren’s passion for cars is truly depicted in his vintage car collection. He owns a 1948 Ford “Woody” Station Wagon. His passion for speed and race made him purchase this sports car.

1955 Morgan +4 Drop Head Coupe

Ralph Lauren owns a 1955 Morgan +4 Drop Head Coupe. The best feature of this car is that it gives a proper protection from the British weather and a luxurious ride.

2010 Lamborghini Murcielago Super Veloce.

Ralph Lauren owns a 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago Super Veloce which features a 6.5-liter V-12 engine. This car can hit 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212.5 mph.

The Jets

Gulfstream G650

Apart from owning a Hawker private jet, Ralph also owns a Gulfstream G650. The Gulfstream is capable of cruising at Mach 0.85 at over 51,000 ft over land and has a maximum non stop range of 7,000 Nautical Miles. The G650 uses Rolls Royce BR725 series engines for a silent and more economic experience. The Gulfstream G650 is a pleasure for its passengers with hi-tech entertainment features, wireless internet and satellite phones.

Hawker private plane

Ralph Lauren bought his first Hawker private plane in 1982 as his passion for cars and jets has always motivated him to make additions to his unique toy collection. Progression is what makes Hawker aircraft so successful and which is why Hawker is one of the favorite privet jets amongst the rich and famous.  It is one of the best long-range business jets that feature all the luxury comforts and can also be customized according to the customer’s need. The 900XP business jet offers unbeatable fuel efficiency, performance, intuitiveness and comfort.

Elite.