Ralph Lauren founded the business in 1967 with a line of wide neckties sold under the Polo name. The company expanded into a full men’s collection in 1968, opened its first standalone store in 1971 and introduced the Polo shirt in 1972. Those milestones help distinguish the company’s founding from the later emergence of individual product icons and retail concepts.
Today Ralph Lauren operates a broad portfolio of labels and product categories across apparel, footwear, accessories, home and licensed products such as fragrances and eyewear. The company sells through its own retail and digital channels, department stores and other wholesale partners, with product lines and price tiers varying substantially by collection.
Authenticity and seller identity matter because Ralph Lauren is widely counterfeited. The company maintains brand-protection guidance and recommends authorized channels when customers need confidence around authenticity, warranty or after-sales service. Products bought through third-party marketplaces should be checked for the actual seller and applicable return policy.
Consumer order, return and product support is handled through RalphLauren.com customer service and regional retail teams. In the U.S., Ralph Lauren Corporation publishes 888-475-7674 and CustomerAssistance@RalphLauren.com, while headquarters, press and investor enquiries are handled separately through corporate contacts.
