Ralph Lauren: The immigrants’ son who built a global fashion empire

New York CNN — For a man who once claimed to “hate fashion,” designer Ralph Lauren has had an extraordinarily long and successful career. The company he founded in 1967 is now one of the world’s most identifiable brands, and the work that it took to get there is now the subject of a new HBO documentary, “Very Ralph.” Directed by Susan Lacy, the film features interviews with a reflective Lauren who, at 80 years old, is still very much involved in the multibillion-dollar business that carries his name. “It’s not a token person, ‘let’s just check this box.’” As far back as 1996, he hired models Tyson Beckford and Naomi Campbell to front an advertising campaign for his sportswear label Polo Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren’s most recent show at New York Fashion Week was staged in a ballroom dubbed “Ralph’s Club” on Wall Street.