Ralph Lauren – Style Icon

"Ralph's" Restaurant: Insights into the World of Ralph Lauren

Ralph’s is tucked away in the courtyard of a 17th-century townhouse on the Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris. Curious passers-by can spot the terrace at the end of the high archway, the wrought-iron garden chairs with blue and white striped cushions, the rose bushes and box trees. If you wish to know what the world of Ralph Lauren feels like from the inside, make sure you book your table a few weeks in advance. The legendary American designer’s restaurants can be found in Manhattan, Milan, Chicago and Chengdu, but his Parisian establishment, which opened in 2010, is considered the most elegant.

In a prime rive gauche location, he has managed to breathe a Wild West atmosphere into a classic hôtel particulier. The décor combines masculine and rustic elements while maintaining a romantic, understated elegance: tartan cushions on the dark brown leather banquettes, brightly set tables with bouquets of red roses, large paintings of equestrian and hunting scenes on the walls, and heavy lanterns dangling from the beamed ceiling. “Monsieur Lauren dines here every time he visits Paris,” says restaurant manager Christian Laval. And he’s not the only one. With a bit of luck, you could find yourself sitting at a table next to former Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, couture heiresses Nathalie and Lola Rykiel or model Poppy Delevingne as they enjoy a Maine lobster salad, a Ralph’s burger or the fantastic cheesecake.

From a Polo Shirt to an Iconic Brand

Ralph Lauren, who turned 85 in October, is renowned throughout the world for his signature polo shirt featuring an embroidered pony and polo player. Launched in 1972 in a choice of two dozen colors, it remains a bestseller for his brand to this day. You’ll also find the iconic logo on his polo line of ties and in many of his collections, which often feature tweed fabrics, tartan checks and natural wool. Drawing inspiration from the American preppy look, these add a British twist to the timeless style favored by well-todo East Coast students.

Lauren grew up in New York, the son of Belarusian immigrants. “We didn’t have much money at home,” he once said, “but I quickly realized that the right clothes could make me look like I did.” His polo shirt, which became a must-have for a young generation, was the catalyst of a unique success story that began with a $50,000 loan. Ralph Lauren has created a global company that sells more than just products: It sells a way of life. His fashion and interior design reflect a carefree, infectious optimism, as well as an endlessly fascinating, straightforward approach.

Ralph Lauren, 85, bought his ranch in Colorado in 1982. “This is where I fell in love with the West,” he once said.

A Home as a Tribute to the Wild West

His book “A Way of Living,” published last year, celebrates the 40th anniversary of his Ralph Lauren Home collection and reveals how he designed his own homes, including the Double RL Ranch in southwest Colorado. The recurring theme of his interiors is a sense of cheerful warmth, often complemented by his clear affection for the Wild West, cowboys and the expansive skies of the prairie. Ralph Lauren captures the mythical vintage Americana style – a style whose existence is uncertain, but one he intuitively understands.

The ranch in the Rocky Mountains that he bought in 1982 is full of quilts and patchworks featuring Native American motifs, as well as paintings of buffalo hunts. It features big fireplaces, deep, comfortable leather armchairs, wooden beds and collections of Sioux and Shawnee poems. There are also animal skins, hunting trophies, antique feather headdresses, cowboy hats, colorful woolen ponchos, Navajo blankets and rugs from Arizona and New Mexico. These pay homage to the region’s strong identity – its people, its craftsmanship and its history. The ranch, whose name Double RL stands for Ralph Lauren and his wife Ricky Lauren, is a perfect example of the iconic Western style that epitomizes the Ralph Lauren aesthetic.

Minimalist Elegance in New York

But the designer can also do things differently. The Lauren’s penthouse on New York’s Fifth Avenue, not far from the Guggenheim Museum, is minimalist, almost monochromatic and modern in style. “We wanted it to feel more like a loft,” Ralph Lauren explains in the book. “In a way, it was our first real home. I wasn’t looking for glamour or to make an impression; it was just the simple desire to have a kind of freedom – room for our three children, room to take stock of ourselves and to discover who we really were and what we wanted.” Virtually the entire apartment is white – white-lacquered tables, white canvas sofas and natural bamboo armchairs on polished wooden floors. Everything is simple, relaxed, uncluttered and elegant – very different from the carefully curated clutter in Colorado, where the exciting array of objects leaves visitors not knowing where to look.

The Ralph Lauren Home Collection

A large number of these objects are available to buy. The Home collection includes many items you’ll find in the Laurens’ home, and the Navajo rug is just a click away. The website asks you to choose where you’d like to start browsing. In the Home section, which includes Garden Vine tableware, hurricanes and comfortable dining chairs? Or would you prefer to go straight for the leather club armchair? Cushions with checked patterns?

It’s not surprising to learn that many places look like they were designed by Ralph Lauren. He has created a style with so many facets that it works almost anywhere. You can use it to furnish your country house, a studio in the heart of the city, a villa by the sea or a mountain cabin. You can mix vintage objects with modern designs and colorful ethnic looks with natural colors. “It’s not about fashion; it’s about taste,” he says. The focus is on authenticity, integrity, timelessness, longevity, tradition and heritage.

A Tranquil Retreat Away from the City Hustle

Sometimes, the Laurens think about moving to their ranch in Colorado permanently. “I don’t really like living in the city,” he says. “In New York, people worry about who they will be sitting next to at the museum dinner, whether they will be able to get the right table in the restaurant and whether they’ll be recognized. At the ranch there’s none of that pressure.” Maybe he could even run things from there. “But if I did,” he says, “I wouldn’t have anywhere to retreat to.