I have had one of those days, you know, when life has been so busy with so many things going on that you decide to take some ‘me’ time, some ‘time out’ and basically do nothing to try and rejuvenate mind, body and soul, albeit for just one afternoon.
While sitting and flicking through the TV channels, accompanied on the sofa by our West Highland Terrier, Gus, I was lucky enough to come across an interview by a well-known American lady and Mr Ralph Lauren, American fashion and home ware designer.
To say that I thoroughly enjoyed the interview is an understatement. So I will share some of what went on for that hour with you all.
Ralph Lauren (born Ralph Lifshitz, The Bronx, New York, 1939) is a gentleman and a very nice man. The interview took place at his ranch in Colorado and we were privy to various rooms of his house as well as the magnificent countryside surrounding, what he and his lovely wife Ricky claim is spiritual land. Having seen the wonderful filming of the countryside I can do nothing but agree.
Born to Russian-Jewish immigrants, his artist father painted houses. Ralph grew up in a middle class family who had little but the bare essentials. He attended the Camp Roosevelt (Monticello) where colleagues pronounced his clear talents when it came to colour and colour boards.
Ralph explained he commenced his world of creativity by making men’s ties and approached Bloomingdales (USA) and asked them if they would be interested in purchasing his creations. They communicated their interest in his fabulous ties and accepted the offer under the condition that they put their own Bloomingdale name to them. Ralph refused the offer and walked out. Six months later, Bloomingdales rang him and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and that was the beginning of the beginning.
The father of three, two boys and a girl came across as an extremely caring and loving dad and a dedicated husband to his talented wife of forty-six years, Ricky. Their ranch in Colorado is magnificent including the homestead and guest areas, all adorned with Ralph Lauren Home wares. His sons, one a film producer, one working for Ralph Lauren and the daughter who has her own candy stores, all appeared as simply lovely adults.
What does Ralph Lauren wear? Yes, his own label but he has also been known to wear other labels, “I wear things I love” stated this talented and humble gentleman. What are you most proud of? “My family, my kids, my wife and the fact that I am still working.” Why a horse and polo player? Being a sports fan, he was more into basketball but he figured a basketball wasn’t international enough so he decided on the Polo player. What inspires you? “Team work, challenges, my wife and kids and the world around me.” What was your most serious purchase as your empire came to fruition? “My house, a car, sending my children to good schools and as I worked harder all of these things improved.” Ralph clearly stated that he wasn’t about fashion, he is about living and clearly this is when his home wares too came to fruition.
It hasn’t all been ‘lollipops and roses’ for this talented guru. He suffered a ‘benign brain tumour’ approximately half way through his now seventy-one years and to anyone who has experienced that frightening halt in what appears to be a healthy life, including me and mine, you can never take life for granted from that point and clearly he hasn’t.
To say I was impressed by this gentleman is an understatement. He sat surrounded by his family and it was very evident to me that these children respect and love their parents, are grateful for what they have been given and for what they have all achieved in life thus far and I could do nothing but feel the love that was emanating from that calm and spiritual room where they all sat, in that lovely ranch house in spectacular Colorado.
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