Ralph Lauren awarded the Medal of Honor: A review of his legacy
- Olivia McKenley
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Pillar of the fashion community, Ralph Lauren, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, becoming the first designer to be honored.
On January 4, the 85-year-old was celebrated during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C.. Former President Joe Biden presented the award to Lauren, recognizing his imprint on the fashion industry with his stylistic ingenuity and philanthropy.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established in 1945, is a civilian award bestowed by the President to individuals who have had “transformative influence on American culture and society” in their field. The recipients of the award range from Steve Jobs for his technological contributions to Martin Luther King Jr. for his civil rights efforts. Lauren, however, is the first fashion designer to earn the honor.
In the eyes of the public, the Lauren brand is synonymous with high-quality, classic Americana style. The legacy of Lauren, however, goes far beyond, illustrating the adversities of working in a heavily critical, transient industry.
Lauren’s origin, inspired collections, and accomplishments all reveal his dedication to his craft. While the history of Ralph Lauren is abundant and still unfolding, here is an encapsulation of Lauren’s trailblazing career.
1940s-50s
Lauren grew up in the Bronx, New York, relatively impoverished. As the son of Polish immigrants, his upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of aspiration and resilience early in his career. His break into fashion began with his designing men’s ties within the Empire State Building. Lauren drew inspiration from the cultural landscape around him. His designs became a semblance of the American Dream, which became the core of the renowned Ralph Lauren brand.
1970-90s
In 1972, Lauren introduced the polo shirt: a fitted, sharp-collared piece marked with a distinctive contrast-stitch logo. The article rapidly gained popularity. It became emblematic of classic American style across the market. The iconic polo truly bridged gaps forming in the fashion community, as it became a staple worn across demographics.
Furthermore, Lauren’s Polo Bear sweater debuted in 1991, a classic crew knit with a bear design. The piece’s youthful graphics distinguished Lauren from other major lines. The article even inspired other emblems in future Lauren lines, like the iconic American flag sweater.
2000s
With the growth of his brand, Ralph Lauren became solidified as a pillar of the fashion industry, and his merit began to become recognized:
2007 - Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)'s first-ever American Fashion Legend Award
2010 - Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, french award honoring his artisanship and philanthropy
2019 - Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Ultimately, Lauren’s legacy is one of giving. He has managed to create clothes authentic to his consumers and personal vision. But fashion doesn’t dominate Lauren’s passion. The less talked about philanthropic side of Lauren strives to advocate for social equity and empowerment. Through the Ralph Lauren Corporation, he is doing just that, fighting for causes like cancer research.
Lauren’s journey and most recent achievement attest that when your heart is in the right place, you can truly do it all.
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