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Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren in his office 1979 by Edgar de Evia
Born	Ralph Lifshitz (1939-10-14) October 14, 1939 (age 72) Bronx, New York
Nationality	American
Education	Baruch College, City University of New York
Occupation	Fashion designer
Spouse	Ricky Anne Low-Beer (1964-present)
Children	3
Awards	Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
Labels	Polo Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren (born Ralph Lifshitz, October 14, 1939) is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.

Early life[link]

Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx, New York, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants, from Pinsk, Belarus:^[1] Fraydl (née Kotlar) and Frank Lifshitz, a house painter.^[2]

Ralph attended the Salanter Academy Jewish Day School followed by MTA (now known as the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy), before eventually graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1957.^[3][4] In MTA Lauren was known by his classmates for selling ties to his fellow students. In a moment of spontaneity, when asked what he wanted to do in^[5] his Clinton yearbook he stated under his picture that he wanted to be a millionaire.^[6] During the summer, Ralph attended Camp Roosevelt (Monticello).^[7]

At the age of 16, Ralph's brother Jerry (who was his guardian) changed their last name to Lauren to avoid the unfortunate obscenity reference Lifshitz has in English (although Ralph's brother Lenny retained the name). Apparently Ralph was teased about it in school.^[8] “My given name has the word shit in it,” he told Oprah Winfrey. “When I was a kid, the other kids would make a lot of fun of me. It was a tough name. That's why I decided to change it. Then people said, "Did you change your name because you don't want to be Jewish?" I said, "Absolutely not. That's not what it's about. My cousins who lived in California had changed their last name to Lawrence. So I just thought, "I'm going to pick a nice last name"—it wasn't particularly connected to anything or anyone."^[9]

He went to Baruch College where he studied business, although he dropped out after two years. From 1962 to 1964 he served in the United States Army.^{[citation needed]} He did not attend fashion school, but worked for Brooks Brothers as a salesman. In 1967, with the financial backing of Manhattan clothing manufacturer Norman Hilton, Lauren opened a necktie store where he also sold ties of his own design, under the label "Polo."^[10] He later received the rights to use the trademark Polo from Brooks Brothers.

Personal life[link]

On December 20, 1964, he married Ricky Anne Low-Beer in New York City. The two met six months earlier, in an eye doctor's office where Ricky was working as a receptionist.^[11] They have three children: Dylan, David and Andrew.

The Polo Ralph Lauren flagship store occupying the Rhinelander Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City

In 1970, Ralph Lauren won the COTY Award for his menswear line. Around that same time he released a line of women's suits that were tailored in a classic men's style, which was when the first Polo emblem was seen. It was on the cuff of the women's suit. Ralph Lauren released Polo's famous short sleeve mesh shirt with the Polo logo in 1972. It came out in 24 colors and soon became a classic.^[12] He also gained recognition for his design after he was contracted to provide clothing styles for the movie The Great Gatsby.

A Polo Ralph Lauren store on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago

In 1984, he transformed the Rhinelander Mansion, former home of the photographer Edgar de Evia and Robert Denning, into the flagship store for Polo Ralph Lauren. This same year de Evia photographed the cover feature story for House & Garden on the Lauren home Round Hill in Jamaica,^[13] which had formerly been the home of Babe and Bill Paley.^[14] On June 11, 1997, Polo Ralph Lauren became a public company, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RL.

By 2007 Ralph Lauren had over 35 boutiques in the United States. There were 23 locations that carried Ralph Lauren Purple Label, including Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Boston, Charlotte, Washington, DC, Chicago, Costa Mesa, Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Manhasset, New York, Palm Beach, Palo Alto, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Short Hills, and Troy.^{[citation needed]} The Financial Times reported in its edition of January 2–3, 2010 that the firm had revenues of $5 billion for the fiscal year 2009. The article addresses succession plans and the future of the overall business.

In 2010, Ralph Lauren was decorated Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in Paris

Surgery[link]

Sometime in early 1987, he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. In April 1987 he underwent surgery to remove the tumor and made a full recovery.^[15]

Net worth[link]

As of September 2011, Forbes estimates his wealth at $6.1 billion dollars which would make Ralph Lauren the 173rd richest person in the world.^[16]

Automobile Collection[link]

Ralph Lauren with his Porsche GT3 RS (2010)

Ralph Lauren is also well known as a collector of automobiles, some of which are extremely rare. A large portion of his over 70 automobiles are held in his estate in Katonah, New York. He owns a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, two Ferrari 250 Testa Rossas, three 1996 McLaren F1s (one of them an ultra-rare F1 LM), a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, a 1929 Blower Bentley, one Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, a Porsche 997 GT3 RS, a Bugatti Veyron, a 1930 Mercedes-Benz CountTrossi SSK (aka "The Black Prince") a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Mille Miglia.^[17], a Lamborghini Reventón and the rare Reventón Roadster. His cars have won "best in show" at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance multiple times. In 2005 his collection was displayed at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.^[18] In 2011 17 prime members of his collection were exhibited at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.^[19]

Controversies[link]

In 2009, Ralph Lauren apologized^[20] for digitally retouching a photograph of model Filippa Hamilton to make her look thinner. Hamilton also claims that she was fired by Ralph Lauren a few days later.^[21] Another model's photo was also digitally retouched^[22] adding to the row.

See also[link]

• List of swimwear brands

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Gross, Michael: Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren. Harper, New York 2003.
• Trachtenberg, Jeffrey A.: Ralph Lauren: The Man behind the Mystique. Little, Brown and Company New York 1981.
• McDowell, Colin: Ralph Lauren: The Man, The Vision, The Style. Rizzoli, New York 2002.

External links[link]

• Ralph Lauren Web Site
• Ralph Lauren designer profile at Fashion Model Directory
• Ralph Lauren at the Internet Movie Database
• Ralph Lauren collections at style.com
• Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention
• Men's Vogue profile of Ralph Lauren
• Ralph Lauren Auto Collection
• WIRED Magazine celebrates the Ralph Lauren Classic Automobile Collection

Lauren London
London at the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, October 14, 2007
Born	(1984-12-05) December 5, 1984 (age 27) Los Angeles
Occupation	Actress, model

Lauren Nicole London (born December 5, 1984) is an American film and television actress, model, and occasional music video actress. Beginning her career in music videos and later transitioning into film and television, London earned recognition for her performances in the film ATL as well as the television shows 90210 and Entourage.

Early life[link]

London was born in Los Angeles to an African American mother and Jewish father.^[1][2] After attending Palisades High School, Lauren was home schooled, giving her time to audition for films, music videos and commercials.

Career[link]

London had made appearances in music videos for artists such as Tyrese, Ludacris, Pharrell, and Snoop Dogg.^[3] Her breakout year came in 2006, where she made her television debut in the "Everybody Hates Funerals" episode of the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris.^[3] That same year, London landed her first film role as well, playing hip hop artist T.I.'s romantic lead in the film ATL. For her work, London was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the year's Black Movie Awards.^[4] In 2007, London landed a role on the HBO comedy series Entourage, playing the character Turtle's (Jerry Ferrara) love interest.^[5] Later, based on her performance in ATL, London was given her role in 2007's This Christmas without having to audition.^[3] London, along with pop/R&B singers Cassie and Asia Nitollano, became one of the spokesmodels for the Sean John woman's collection in 2007.^[6] In 2008, London landed the role of the character Christina in the first season of the show 90210,^[7] originally thought to be a possible romantic interest of Tristan Wilds' character Dixon Wilson. London's next film role was the character Ivy in the 2009 release Next Day Air.^[8][9] The same year, she played the character Cammy Alcott in the Chris Columbus film I Love You Beth Cooper.^[10] London has appeared on the cover of such magazines as Jewel and King as well.^[11][12]

She appeared in Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family, which was released on April 22, 2011. She also made a cameo appearance in the premiere of VH1's Single Ladies.

Personal life[link]

Lauren London and American rapper Lil Wayne have a son together: Kameron Samuel Ari Carter (born September 9, 2009).^{[13] [14]} She was a bridesmaid at Khloe Kardashian's wedding in 2009.

Filmography[link]

Television appearances[link]

In her acting career, London has performed in relatively small roles in episodes for a number of television shows. This list includes appearances in various episodes of shows, while excluding appearances as herself on talk shows, interview shows, ceremonies, and the like.

Music videos[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lauren London

Biography portal

• Lauren London at AllRovi
• Lauren London at the Internet Movie Database
• Lauren London at Yahoo! Movies

Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras
Nacho Figueras
Born	(1977-03-04) March 4, 1977 (age 35) 25 de Mayo, Buenos Aires Province
Occupation	Polo Player
Spouse	Delfina Blaquier
Children	Hilario, Aurora, Artemio
Parents	Horacio & Mercedes Bermejo

Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras (born March 4, 1977 in 25 de Mayo, Buenos Aires Province) is an Argentine polo player. As of September 2009, he is ranked as one of the top 100 polo players in the world.^[1] Sometimes called the "David Beckham of polo",^[2] he usually plays in Argentina and in the U.S. as part of the Black Watch Polo Team.^[3][4] He has also been the face of Ralph Lauren's Black Label line since 2005, and was recently chosen to represent the entire line of Polo fragrances.

In models.com he is ranked No. 4 on Top Icons Men^[5]

Polo[link]

Figueras began playing polo at the age of 8. He turned pro at 17, playing at various locations in Europe before arriving in Bridgehampton, New York in 1999.^[6] There, he joined White Birch, a team shared at the time by Peter Brant and Neil Hirsch.^[7] He currently plays for and is captain of BlackWatch, a team he co-owns with Hirsch.^[8][9]

Modeling[link]

When he was approached by the photographer Bruce Weber 11 years ago, at a dinner party held by Kelly Klein, ex-wife of Calvin, in The Hamptons, he hoped modelling might help him buy more squirrelly mounts. "Then I realised that I could make extra money, and raise awareness of the sport."^[10] Nacho started modelling for Ralph Lauren in 2000, eventually become the face of Ralph Lauren Black Label in 2005, and has been under contract since.^[2][6][11] In May 2009, he was made the face of the World of Polo fragrances, including Polo Black, Polo Blue and Polo Modern Reserve.^[12][13] Black Watch is also a label under the Ralph Lauren umbrella, offering tight polo shirts emblazoned with Nacho's number 2, an idea of Figueras' to make it a billion-dollar brand.

In June 2009, he was voted the second most handsome man in the world by the readers of Vanity Fair with 15% of the vote, far behind Robert Pattinson, who drew 51%,^[14] and ahead of Brad Pitt, who drew 12%.^[15]

Despite his success in the modeling arena, polo continues to be his passion. He says his mission in life "is to bring polo to the world a little more,"^[16] doing his best to raise the profile to the sport of polo however he can.^[2] To that end, he has helped organize matches such as the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic exhibition in Governor's Island, New York; the most recent edition on June 27, 2010 also featured England's Prince Harry.^[17]

In October 2010, Nacho Figueras co-hosted the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic with Cameron Silver in Los Angeles at Will Rogers state park attracting celebrities and socialites like Minnie Driver, Mischa Barton, Donovan Leitch and Rachel Zoe.

Oprah[link]

On September 28, 2009, Figueras was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago. The show was titled "Meet the Most Famous People in the World", and also featured the "Oprah of China" Chen Luyu, and the most famous couple in the world, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan. In one of the segments on the show, Nacho gave Oprah's reporter Ali Wentworth a private polo lesson.

Personal life[link]

Nacho has been married to Delfina Blaquier, a photographer and former model, since 2004. The couple currently have 3 children, Hilario, Aurora and Artemio.^[18]

References[link]

Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Will Rogers state park in Los Angeles - The Daily Truffle

External links[link]

• Profile on World Polo Tour
• BlackWatch Polo Team
• Interview Magazine