- First let's see how Polo starts. Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a luxury clothing and goods company of the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren specializes in high-end casual/semi-formal wear for men and women, as well as accessories, fragrances, home (bedding, towels) and housewares. It has its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.The brand was launched in 1967 when Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifshitz, received a $50,000 loan and started a line of men's ties. Prior to starting Ralph Lauren, he worked for Datrian Riser. By 1969 he had a boutique store within the Manhattan department store Bloomingdale's. 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. In 1971, Polo Ralph Lauren launched its first women's collection and his first stand-alone store in Beverly Hills, California. Ten years later, in 1981, the brand went global with its first international store on London's New Bond Street. The Polo Sport line was introduced in 1993. The company went public in 1997. By 2007 Ralph Lauren had over 35 boutiques in the United States.Since Ralph Lauren's first brand, Polo, was launched in 1967, the company has expanded to include a variety of brands. They include the men's lines Purple Label (Launched in 1994), Black Label, Blue Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Polo Denim, Polo Golf, Ralph by Ralph Lauren, Rugby Ralph Lauren (launched 2004), and the women's lines Collection, Black Label, Blue Label (launched 2002), Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Golf (Launched in 1998), and Lauren Jeans Co.