RALPH LAUREN has stepped down as the CEO of the company he founded, enlisting Stefan Larsson to replace him the position. Larsson – who comes from Old Navy, where he has been global president since 2012 – will be CEO while Lauren will remain executive chairman and chief creative officer. No one other than Lauren has ever held the position in the company’s 50-year existence.
From the editors of British Vogue
“Stefan brings something special,” Lauren told WWD. “Stefan has the sensitivity of design and of building a business and growing companies. That’s rare in our business. Usually, it’s one or the other,” adding that this change won’t be a softly softly transition – for Lauren semi-retirement as CEO isn’t an option: “This is important to say: There is no toe in the water. I won’t be coming in two days a week.”
“I had dinner with Ralph, the most iconic American fashion designer,” Larsson explained. “Our meeting had a big impact on me; I think we started speaking dreams minutes into the dinner. Dreams and realising that Ralph has made more in his life so far than anybody can ever dream of and here he is, speaking about growing the business, speaking about generations, speaking about stories. And I was just moved by that.”
Let’s remember some of the great designer’s magic moments…
September 20 1977
With wife Ricky at the Coty Awards in New York – seven years earlier, the awards had been the first to honour his work with its Best Menswear Award.
1981
Wearing blue denim jeans and a matching jacket, outside his London flagship store.
April 22 1991
At a tribute to Audrey Hepburn in New York, with Ricky.
1994
A portrait of the designer and his wife inside their New York home.
November 2 1994
On the catwalk following his Polo Sport spring/summer 1995 catwalk show
1995
Karen Mulder modelling his spring/summer 1996 collection.
September 1996
With Diana, Princess of Wales at a White House dinner in Washington.
1999
On the catwalk following his spring/summer 2000 show.
February 2000
Gisele modelling the autumn/winter 2000-01 collection.
October 16 2002
With son David and wife Ricky at the New York premiere of Roger Dodger.
June 2 2003
With Ricky – in a strapless Ralph Lauren gown – at the CFDA Awards in New York.
June 5 2006
With fellow designer Michael Kors at the CFDA Awards.
April 15 2010
He was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur in recognition of his contribution to the fashion industry, presented by then President of France Nicolas Sarkozy at Paris’ Elysée Palace.
October 14 2010
Receiving the Mayor of New York’s prestigious Key to the City honour, in recognition of his contributions as a designer, business leader and philanthropist.
October 8 2013
The Lauren family – from left to right, Andrew, Dylan, Ralph, Ricky, David and his wife Lauren Bush Lauren – at the Ralph Lauren L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts Dinner in Paris.
May 13 2014
His philanthropic partnership with The Royal Marsden was celebrated during an elegant party at Windsor Castle honouring the charity’s work. The designer attended alongside his wife and family.
May 13 2014
The Lauren family at The Royal Marsden party, from left to right: Paul Arrouet and wife Dylan Lauren, Ralph, Ricky, Andrew, Lauren Bush Lauren and David Lauren.
October 8 2013
The Laurens met Prince William at Windsor Castle – the Prince co-hosted The Royal Marsden party in his role as the charity’s president.
Via British Vogue
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