Ralph Lauren: The Man Behind the Mystique (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The ads in which Lauren appears promoting his corporate image are more personally revealing than this probe of the man behind the so-called mystique. Indeed, the designer, who built a $400 million clothing and home-furnishings empire on quality and class, might himself discount the piece goods offered here as not upscale enough for his logo and lacking identity as well. For although Forbes editor Trachtenberg rarely ventures beyond the Lauren workshop, he doesn't adequately cover the business side, as his journalistic speciality would suggest; yet the fashion world itself, with its frenzy and high risk, is apparently beyond his ken to convey. And the little we learn about Lauren? Ralph Lifshitz was born in the Bronx in 1939, youngest of four children of Jewish-Russian immigrants. With no formal design trainingthis internationally famous designer doesn't even know how to sketch, we're toldhe started in the industry selling men's neckwear. He has always been a natty dresser; he married his wife Ricky in 1964 and has three children; and, Trachtenberg further divulges, "He makes a good towel."
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Charts the fashion design mogul's rise from a glove and tie salesman to the head of a billion-dollar manufacturing and retailing business empire, with an in-depth look at his personal and professional history.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 302 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (September 30, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316852147
• ISBN-13: 978-0316852142
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #972,494 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, Very Straightforward, May 5, 1998

By A Customer

This book is very thorough, you have to want to know about Mr. Polo to read this tome. However, for an ardent fan it provides a unique insight into Ralph Lauren's upbringing, life in the Bronx, his rise to power through his neckties, and his ultimate success as America's premier fashion designer...a good read if you've got the time. Good luck trying to find a copy, though, I happened upon my copy in a local used Book Store.