Wayne
I know someone who went to high school in The Bronx with RL.
Ralph started as a tie salesman for Brooks Brothers.
It's Lifschitz, not Lipschitz.
From brainyencyclopedia.com:
Ralph Lauren (born Ralph Lifschitz, October 14, 1939, Bronx, New York) is a world-famous fashion designer.
After dropping out of City College of New York, Lauren served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964.
He was able to secure a $50,000 loan from a backer, and used it to found Polo Fashions in 1968.
Since then, Lauren's "fashion empire" has grown to into a $5 billion industry.
IMO, Lauren works much than Lifschitz outside the schmata business. I'm sure he's laughing all the way to the bank now.
Steve