the designer's life and work in pictures

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Jack Robinson//Getty Images

Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz in October 1939 in the Bronx, New York City. After a stint in the US army and two years studying business at The City University of New York, he became a salesman for a tie company, where, in 1967, he convinced the company's president to let him start his own line. He was just 28 years old.

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New York Post Archives//Getty Images

The Ralph Lauren Corporation started in 1967 with men's ties and then sportswear the following year. By 1969, Bloomingdales sold Lauren's menswear line exclusively, giving the brand its own boutique, something the department store had never done before. In 1971, the designer launched womenswear and opened its first standalone store.

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3Paramount Pictures//Getty Images

In 1974, Lauren outfitted the entire male cast of The Great Gatsby, including Robert Redford.

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4Bettmann//Getty Images

Three years later, the designer created the costumes for Diane Keaton and Woody Allen in Annie Hall.

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5Susan Wood/Getty Images//Getty Images

Lauren married Ricky Ann Low-Beer on 20 December 1964 after the two met in a doctor's office six months previously, where she was working as a receptionist.

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6Susan Wood/Getty Images//Getty Images

The couple went on to have three children together (Andrew, David and Dylan). They are pictured here at their home in East Hampton, New York in 1977.

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7Susan Wood/Getty Images//Getty Images

The couple posed with their two eldest children outside their home.

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8Susan Wood/Getty Images//Getty Images

The married couple were photographed in the back of a limousine as they headed to a charity event in 1977.

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9Susan Wood/Getty Images//Getty Images

The designer was pictured in his 17th Avenue office in 1977.

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10Denver Post//Getty Images

And with women wearing his designs in his store that same year.

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11David Cooper//Getty Images

Lauren seen in 1979 for a feature in the Toronto Star about his then already booming fashion empire.

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12Ron Galella//Getty Images

Lauren posed alongside Diana Vreeland in December 1984.

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13Keith Beaty//Getty Images

The designer celebrated with a glass of champagne after presenting his autumn/winter collection in 1987.

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14Ron Galella//Getty Images

Lauren and wife Ricky attended the opening of the Polo Country Store in July 1988.

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15Images Press//Getty Images

Lauren posed with fellow designer Norma Kamali in 1990 during an event hosted by the CFDA to benefit AIDS research.

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16Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty Images

The designer was seen at the evening gala for the cause with Donna Karan and Betsey Johnson.

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17Bernard Weil//Getty Images

Lauren took his bow wearing a fringed suede jacket in 1990.

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18Images Press//Getty Images

Cindy Crawford was seen on the catwalk for Ralph Lauren in 1991.

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19James Andanson//Getty Images

The designer pictured relaxing in July 1992.

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20Ron Galella//Getty Images

In October, he was photographed with Audrey Hepburn at the Casita Maria Fiesta Benefit.

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