Via: Business Insider

Truly an American rags-to-riches story that is simply as good as it gets, legendary fashion designer and businessman Ralph Lauren has announced that he will be stepping down as CEO of the iconic brand, capping a more than four-decades-long run as the head of the label. The 75 year old will stay on as the Chief Creative Officer and Executive Chairmen.

As with many classic American Dream stories, Mr. Lauren’s starts with incredibly humble beginnings. Born Ralph Lipschitz to immigrant parents living in the Bronx, he spent his childhood escaping the harsher realities of his life with movies. He would project himself onto iconic film stars like Carey Grant and Gary Cooper, and that air of elegant escapism is a noted influence on what he would eventually bring to the fashion world.

After serving in the military, the designer moved back to his native New York City, taking his first job in the fashion world as a clerk at Brooks Brothers. It was only a few short years later however, that a chance journey out to a polo match would change the course of his life, and American fashion forever. Warren Helstein, the friend who brought him to the polo match recounts; “We were exposed to fabulous things. The leather, the silver, the horses, the tall, slinky blondes with the big hats, and the high society that we weren’t really knowledgeable of.”

Of course, that would all change soon. Mr. Lauren started his classy, elegant brand soon after that; the brand that would eventually transform into Ralph Lauren. He started with ties; broad, bold ties at a time when simple, slim ones were the norm. They were an immediate hit, earning the fledgling company entry into department stores, and $500,000 in revenue that first year. Of course, he did not stop there.

Lauren’s design ideas flourished from there, producing iconically classic pieces that people would want to wear; clothing fit for a movie star. And the rest, as they say, is history.