Ralph Lauren, Part 2: Celebrating 50 Years of Design

Summary

Oprah's Super Soul — Ralph Lauren, Part 2: Celebrating 50 Years of Design

Episode Overview

In this rich and intimate episode of Oprah’s Super Soul, Oprah continues her in-depth conversation with legendary designer Ralph Lauren, celebrating his 50-year legacy. The discussion explores Lauren’s journey, his perspective on change, enduring values, American identity, diversity in fashion, vulnerability, and the meaning of success and legacy. The conversation flows with warmth, candor, and moments of reflection—offering listeners rare insight into the mind and heart of an American icon.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nature of Fashion and Change

• Adapting but Staying True:
  Lauren emphasizes the importance of both embracing change and holding onto one’s distinct vision:
  • “Fashion changes and it doesn't change, it moves. The industry is changing...and the key is, how did I make it 50 years? I think it was paying attention to change and also having a sense of what I was doing and who I was.” (00:36)
• Anti-Fashion Stance:
  Despite his industry status, Lauren maintains he’s “anti-fashion,” focusing on enduring inspiration over trends:
  • "My inspiration is I want to be the guy on the horse, the cowboy. I want to be the guy in the movie who's got the tweed jacket...change is important, but knowing who you are is very important.” (02:47)

2. American Identity and Patriotism

• Designing for America:
  Lauren discusses being inspired by uniquely American imagery and spirit, striving to elevate U.S. craftsmanship:
  • “It was the pioneer spirit. It was the natural spirit. It was old leather saddles...America has a lot of that. And my goal was to show you how America...makes beautiful quality.” (03:35)
• Optimism in Hard Times:
  Asked about America’s ongoing challenges, Lauren remains optimistic:
  • "My world is optimistic. I think we're going to go through it just like we go through other things.” (05:27)

3. Leadership, Growth, and Knowing One’s Limits

• Stepping Aside and Collaboration:
  Lauren candidly discusses missteps and the need for talented partners:
  • “Well, it was the wrong decision at that moment. And I changed it and went another way and very happy this way...I don't think you can do it all yourself.” (06:26)
• Learning from Experience:
  On store closures and setbacks:
  • “It was difficult because emotionally, you know, you build something, you think it's going to be forever...But companies go through ups and downs, and you've got to accept it.” (07:48)
• On Hiring:
  • "Every time I hire a good person, I'm elated. That is one of my joys, believe it or not, in building a company.” (20:58)

4. Diversity and Progress in Fashion

• Trailblazing Inclusion:
  Lauren reflects on hiring Tyson Beckford, the first black male model as the face of his brand:
  • “Tyson is a handsome guy that I said, I want this guy to be on cover. I think he's exciting.” (08:52)
• Industry Evolution:
  • “America is getting an education...But if you look at some of the designers today, you have people that have talents that are all over the world. And I think the world is changing.” (09:16)

5. Defining the American Dream and Success

• Is the American Dream Still Possible?
  Lauren insists it is, though the world changes:
  • “I have to think it has to be possible because we go forward...And so I think there's a world that's changing and growing, and designers are growing.” (10:27)
• Reflecting on Achievement:
  Inspired by Derek Walcott’s poem “Love After Love”:
  • “I think I do. I think I enjoy what I see, and it reminds me of what I've done...my happiness is really a very. I love what I do, and I wouldn't want to trade it.” (11:40)

6. On Legacy, Values, and What is Sacred

• The Nature of Legacy:
  Oprah shares her towel story to show the personal impact of Lauren’s brand. Lauren remains humble:
  • “I don't know what my legacy is...I want to just continue doing what I'm doing, and we're doing whatever I can to make things better.” (13:48)
• What Lauren Holds Sacred:
  • “I really feel good about being good. I feel good about doing the right things...I'm looking for peace and comfort.” (14:05)
  • On his cancer center and philanthropy:
    • “I was thrilled because I had nothing to gain out of that. It wasn't a public relations.” (15:38)

7. Humility, Appreciation, and Beginnings

• Never Forgetting Where You Came From:
  Both Lauren and Oprah find profound gratitude in their journeys from humble beginnings.
  • Lauren recalls: "I lived on a cot in a three room apartment in the Bronx with my family...I couldn't wait for my brother...to get married so that I can have his drawer in the closet.” (17:55)
• On Material Success:
  • “I'm aware all the time. I'm totally always aware of remembering what it was like when [I didn't] have [it].” (17:19)

8. Intuition, Instinct, and Support

• Decisions and Instinct:
  • “I didn't have a choice. I really didn't stop and say, this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to make a right turn here and a left turn here. I did it every day. Every day at work.” (19:10)
  • Example of listening to his team: “He said, Ralph, you can do whatever you want. He said, if you take that building, you'll be out of business, so you take the choice. And I went with him. He was right.” (20:12)

9. The Essence of a Ralph Lauren Store

• Creating a Sense of Story:
  Lauren’s stores are designed as immersive experiences:
  • “It's like a movie set...You need inspiration. And I think the stories I have are not about hanging clothes. It's like, oh, I love that. Can I have that?” (22:24)

10. Celebration and Receiving Recognition

• On Receiving Accolades:
  Lauren reveals vulnerability about large celebrations:
  • “That I made it through the night. To be honest with you, I'm looking forward to it and I'm Also, I've lived through so many different things, but it's a little painful going through this...I am not a party person and I like my own privacy.” (23:47–24:00)
• Embracing Recognition and Values:
  Oprah reassures him:
  • “It's like a gathering, celebration of shared aspiration and values...as we celebrate you, we also get to celebrate that part of us that wants to aspire to be the best best of ourselves.” (26:03)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Lasting Inspiration vs. Trends:
  “Don't pay attention to what the writers write. Just pay attention to what you believe in.” — Ralph Lauren (00:36)

• On Being an ‘Anti-Fashion’ Designer:
  “I want to be the guy on the horse…the cowboy. I want to be the guy in the movie who's got the tweed jacket…so change is important, but knowing who you are is very important.” — Ralph Lauren (02:47)

• On Optimism in American Life:
  “My world is optimistic. I think we're going to go through it just like we go through other things.” — Ralph Lauren (05:27)

• On Diversity in Fashion:
  “I work with all kinds of models…we want to do the right thing.” — Ralph Lauren (09:16)

• On What He Holds Sacred:
  “I really feel good about being good. I feel good about doing the right things...I'm looking for peace and comfort.” — Ralph Lauren (14:05)

• On the American Dream:
  “Is there another Ralph Lauren? I'm sure there is.” — Ralph Lauren (10:27)

• On Not Resting on Success:
  “I don't take anything for granted. I don't know how to think about this day.” — Ralph Lauren (25:10)

• On True Legacy:
  “Your legacy is every life that you've touched.” — Maya Angelou via Oprah (12:38)

• On Never Forgetting His Roots:
  “I lived on a cot in a three room apartment in the Bronx with my family...I couldn't wait for my brother...to get married so that I can have his drawer in the closet.” — Ralph Lauren (17:55)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:36 — Ralph Lauren on change and timelessness in fashion
• 03:35 — The idea of America and American style
• 05:27 — How civility and the national mood affect Lauren personally and professionally
• 06:26 — On stepping down and collaboration in leadership
• 08:52 — On hiring Tyson Beckford and diversity in fashion
• 11:40 — Reflecting on life’s journey as an album or poem
• 14:05 — What Ralph Lauren holds sacred
• 16:37 — Defining success and never saying "I'm successful"
• 17:55 — Remembering childhood and humble beginnings
• 19:10 — Key turning points happening daily, not just as one choice
• 22:24 — Philosophy behind Ralph Lauren store experiences
• 23:47 — Emotional vulnerability ahead of the 50th anniversary celebration
• 26:03 — Oprah on the meaning of celebration and legacy

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Tone and Final Reflections

The tone of the episode is warm, reflective, and intimate—marked by deep respect and gentle humor. Ralph Lauren reveals his vulnerability, humility, optimism, and commitment to purpose. Oprah both draws out and matches his candor, closing with gratitude for Lauren’s enduring integrity and the aspirational power of his work. The conversation is ultimately a testament to the value of authenticity, personal vision, and “feasting on your life” with gratitude.

Transcript

[Oprah Winfrey]

I'm Oprah Winfrey. Welcome to Super Soul Conversations, the podcast.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

I believe that one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself is

[Oprah Winfrey]

time, taking time to be more fully present. Your journey to become more inspired and connected to the deeper world around us starts right now. Welcome to part two of our conversation.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

We all know technology is changing the world at the speed of light. What do you think fashion is going to look like, the industry is going to be like in the next 50 years?

[Ralph Lauren]

Probably would be something I could never tell you because I don't know. Fashion changes and it doesn't change, it moves. The industry is changing with the Internet and all the things that are going on and how to sell and how retailers and so the businesses are changing. I believe that if you 50 years, a long time in an industry that changes overnight and has in and outs, and the key is, how did I make it 50 years? I think it was paying attention to change and also having a sense of what I was doing and who I was and what did I have that made you want it? Because I didn't have the schooling at the same time. I went and did all these things and I'm aware of change and I'm aware of the sense of knowing who you are and not going with the fashion trend at the moment and saying, this is who we are. And I think that's what I would say to young people all the time about people in fashion is don't pay attention to what the writers write. Just pay attention to what you believe in.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

And you were solidly clear about that.

[Ralph Lauren]

Very clear. Yeah, very clear. And I vote and been cleared today.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Have you ever been tempted to stray, to follow a trend, to be like the others?

[Ralph Lauren]

I am. I have my moments.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yes.

[Ralph Lauren]

I have young kids in some of the neighborhoods, lowboys and guys in Japan and that collect my clothes, and they're 20 years old. So, you know, I know there is a quality that it's time. It was timeless for me and it's timeless for other people. It's timeless for women. That's who I am. And it's not about, am I conservative, am I classic? It's about knowing how to change, knowing how to move, knowing how to update yourself and knowing when to hold on and not lose your sense of who you are.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

You told Forex magazine that I'm not a fashion person. I'm anti fashion. I've never been influenced by it. So help us understand how a fashion designer is anti fashion.

[Ralph Lauren]

That's a title. That's a title. My inspiration is I want to be the guy on the horse, the cowboy. I want to be the guy in the movie who's got the tweed jacket. You know, there are symbols of things that make you. That excite you. If I look at an old movie, 1930s movie, black and white, and I say, I love that movie, you know, that still exists 60, 70 years later. That still exists. So change is important, but knowing who you are is very important.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

So you're the official designer for the US Olympic team and Paralympic teams, in the US Open for tennis, in the US Open for golf. And you told me once that you designed for America. What does that idea of America mean to you?

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, I was born in this country. It's been very good to me. When I started, stores came up to me and wanted to buy my clothes. They were very enamored by Europe and not America. They all think it all happens over there. That's when I really felt my patriotism, whatever you want to call it, is when I felt there was so much in this country that was exciting and so much that was interesting in a white clapboard house, in a log cabin, and things that I just. They had a whole pile of romance for me. And I saw life living and also the clothes that you'd wear in that world. So it was the pioneer spirit. It was the natural spirit. It was old leather saddles. It was all the kind of things that have a timelessness, and America has a lot of that. And we're known in America for mass production. And I think America. And my goal was to show you how America. That someone from America makes beautiful quality. Because if you go into a store and you start to look at the American products, you say, well, these are not. This is not the same as I can get in Italy. This is not the same. And as an American, I don't know, it had an effect on me. It had an effect because I felt like I could make great stuff, and I want that great stuff. I want that handmade jacket. I want that. And I thought there were other people like me, and that's how I worked.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

You know, there's a collective feeling that we're in the midst of a breakdown in civility in America. No one taking the time to listen to each other. Do you feel the shift in how we're treating each other? And how do you describe these times we're living in? And does that affect the way you design?

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, it affects the way I live and who I am. I have an optimism about design, so my world is optimistic. I think we're going to go through it just like we go through other things. We're going to go through whatever bad times we're having now. And actually, sometimes things have to take a little longer to go find its root. And I think that that's where we are. I think. Yeah, I don't like how we appear right now. I think people, when they interview me, say, what do you think of America now? And it used to be that I would come to Europe and they would say, I love America. You know, they were very enthusiastic. We're hammering it down a little bit, and it's a little tough time. It's a tough time in this country, but I think we're going to be okay.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

In 2015, you stepped down CEO of the corporation, Ralph Lauren Corporation, but you remain chairman and its chief creative officer. Did you know in your bones that that was the right decision? Did you?

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, it was the wrong decision at that moment.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Was it?

[Ralph Lauren]

And I changed it and went another way and very happy this way. But I have a great CEO. I've always had partners working with me, people that are financially toned to know what's going on. And I don't think you can do it all yourself. Anyone who thinks they can do it

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

all, especially as vast as it is.

[Ralph Lauren]

So it's a very big company and it has to be turned the right way and it needs to be able to communicate within itself. Because now I'm all around the world. So I'm in China, I'm in Japan, I'm in Russia.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

I don't think you're ever going to retire, will you?

[Ralph Lauren]

I think people tomorrow night are waiting to me to say I'm retiring. I would hope that I know when I should retire. And then, you know, watching baseball player or watching a boxer through my years and saying he should have quit, you know, don't get killed. I think I'm tuned into where qualities that are good, where I'm weak and where I'm not weak.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Where are you weak?

[Ralph Lauren]

I can't do everything. You know, I think weak is weak in terms of when you have a company that is large, you have to make financial decisions. You have to make a lot of different decisions.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Was it difficult to close those stores? I think it was 2016. You closed 50 stores.

[Ralph Lauren]

Yeah, it was difficult because emotionally, you know, you build something, you think it's going to be forever. You learn your process. We all go up and down. I have had a very consistent point of view. I built a very good company. But companies go through ups and downs. People Go through ups and downs, and you've got to accept it. And I think what happens when you get older, as you become more experienced, you realize that you don't know everything. And you got to get the professionals with you, but you've got to get the right professionals, and that's the most important thing.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

That takes time.

[Ralph Lauren]

Finding the right leadership, well, that's important for them to communicate with you so you are both in sync with each other as to where you want to go and who you want to be and what you see.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Well, it was 1994. You became the first designer to hire an African American male model as the face of your brand. Tyson Beckford. I remember that it was such a big moment. How can fashion better represent the diversity of the country?

[Ralph Lauren]

Very much, I think fashion. Karen, we're learning. The world is changing. What I Learned in the 50s or 60s, not the same as today. And I work with all kinds of models. And Tyson is a handsome guy that I said, I want this guy to be on cover. I think he's exciting.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Unfortunately, that was considered a bold move back there.

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, you know, I think, you know, America is getting an education. We're getting an education about racism and where the world is on what's right or wrong and how to treat each other, women's rights and all the areas. But if you look at some of the designers today, you have people that have talents that are all over the world. And I think the world is changing. It may take a little longer, but fashion in the fashion industry, that's the industry, I think that has no sense of negative sensibility about models or actors or the sensitivity is we want to do the right thing.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

So your story, as you know, is the definition of the American dream. And for 50 years, you've defined what that looks like to the world. Do you think that this American dream can still exist? Could there be another? Obviously not another Ralph Lauren. But your story, is that story still possible for people the way the world is set up?

[Ralph Lauren]

I have to think it has to be possible because we go forward. And as much as you think, well, look at. People would say, look at all the designers. What's going to happen when they're not here? Well, the world doubled and quadrupled, and there's more designers now than ever has been. And so I think there's a world that's changing and growing, and designers are growing. It's a lot of designers. Some of them should make it and some won't make it. But there is going to be a change. And Is there another Ralph Lauren? I'm sure there is.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

So Women's Wear Daily, often called the Bible of fashion, recently published this book, as we talked about earlier, chronicling your dazzling 50 years in the business. And you said, looking through the pages is like looking through the most beautiful album, but not only your work, but also your life. One of my favorite poems is by Derek Walcott. It's called Love After Love. And he says, the time will come when, with elation, you will look at yourself in your own mirror. And he goes on to say, you will be able to sit and feast on your life. Are you able to look through the pages and sit and feast on your life?

[Ralph Lauren]

I think I do. I think I enjoy what I see, and it reminds me of what I've done, because we do forget every once in a while. It is important to, you know, in my office, I have all kinds of pictures and all kinds of trophies and things. I forget them. But every once in a while, I walk through my office quietly, and I look at the things and I look at the pictures. Some of the people I know and some of the toys I've been given, and it makes me smile, makes me happy. I'm very happy in my office. It's a world that I sort of built around myself of things that I love, whether it's old cars or whether it be little antique shoes or whatever it is, how they came about and how they integrated in itself, I don't know. But my happiness is really a very. I love what I do, and I wouldn't want to trade it. I wouldn't want to trade with anybody. I'm very happy with what I've achieved. I'm happy.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

What do you want, your legacy or hope your legacy be? I had this wonderful conversation with Maya Angelou before she died, and I was sharing with her how excited I was about opening my school. And I said, oh, Maya, I wish you'd been there, because this school is going to be my greatest legacy. And she said, you have no idea what your legacy will be, because your legacy is every life that you've touched. And when I think about, you know, in the personal and impersonal ways you. Your brand has touched my life. I remember growing up thinking what real wealth was was being able to have good towels. So as soon as I made any money, I went. I've shared this before. I went to the Ralph Lauren store, and I bought all the Ralph Lauren towels that could fit into my linen closet and had them folded the same way you all folded them in the store so that when I opened the cabinet, it would look like a Ralph Lauren store. And that was an aspirational market moment for me. I felt like, now I've made it. And when Barbara Walters came to do her first interview, that's what I wanted. I showed her my towels. She said, what have you done as a wealthy person? I go, would you like to see my Ralph Lauren towels? Yes. So your legacy.

[Ralph Lauren]

I. I think I feel as. I don't know what my legacy is. I don't know if I want to think of legacies. I want to just continue doing what I'm doing, and we're doing whatever I can to make things better.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

What do you hold sacred?

[Ralph Lauren]

Good question. I don't know if I can answer that question because I never thought of that. I think of myself and how I am as a person. I've made mistakes. I'm not an angel, I'm not God, but I do see goodness in the world. I do have. I don't want to give you all these blowing smoke at you. I really feel good about being good. I feel good about doing the right things. I'm very busy with a lot of worlds and a lot of things. On some levels, you miss each other. You know, I've been married for 54 years. That's a long time. And you miss each other. You can have a conversation, you're living together, and then you have an argument and say, why don't we have that argument? And I don't want to hurt that person. And so you go through things and you forget. So what I do like is I'm looking for peace and comfort. I'm not, you know, I have what I need. I don't want to not work because I love working. I. I think I wanted to give. When I opened this place in Harlem, Ralph Lawrence center for Cancer Care, I was very thrilled I did that. I was thrilled because I had nothing to gain out of that. It wasn't a public relations.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

You were just doing it to create awareness.

[Ralph Lauren]

And if it was a public relations plan, I would have hated it. So what I don't want is that I'm really still a very simple person. I don't feel like I'm.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

It's been going 15 years now, because in 2003, you did that. The cancer Center.

[Ralph Lauren]

The Ralph Moore Cancer Center. Yes.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yeah.

[Ralph Lauren]

So things don't always work as well as you want them to work, but, you know, I think you gotta stop and smell the roses occasionally.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

I just wanted to say, though, that the Pink Pony campaign is Like a worldwide initiative helping to ensure access to quality treatment at an earlier, more curable stage for women. That's what you've done. So that will be a part of your legacy.

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, I don't know how you add up. Legacies.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yes. It's every life you touch. I love that one. So when you sit on the perch of your life and you're feasting on your life. That beautiful poem. At what point did you say, oh gee, I'm successful? And how do you define that?

[Ralph Lauren]

I never said it.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Never said it.

[Ralph Lauren]

I am aware of it. I'm aware of success. I'm aware of being recognized. I'm aware of getting the best seat when I go into a restaurant and I like it, but I don't want to need it. I don't want to need it. I think I see too many people need it and I'm free of that. And I'm not totally free.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yeah. You know. Yeah, I would say that too. I would have to agree with you because when you've had it for so long, you don't know what it's like not to have it, you know?

[Ralph Lauren]

So it just feels like I know because I have some nice things and I'm aware all the time. I'm totally always aware of remembering what it was like when inhabit.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Really?

[Ralph Lauren]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Don't you think that's the best though? I actually think that having grown up, not having things.

[Ralph Lauren]

Yes.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Makes me so much more appreciative of the things that I have.

[Ralph Lauren]

Yes.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

And having grown up not with this whole sense of beauty around me. I didn't even have what you have. Being able to. I didn't even know it existed gives me a greater sense of.

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, I had the same thing. You're aware of who you are, but when you grow up and you don't have. I remember going to a friend's house and this guy and he opened the closet to his father's closet and he had shoe trees. This is almost like your towel story. He had shoe trees in all of the shoes. And they said, wow, that looks. And I went home to take a look at my shoes thrown into my closet all over the place. Because I had two brothers. I have two brothers and a sister. And we used to share the closet. So you can imagine. It sounds like it's romantic. It wasn't so romantic. I lived on a cot in a three room apartment in the Bronx with my family and the cot didn't look too good when I pictures of it. I couldn't wait for my brother one of my brothers to get married so that I can have his drawer in the closet.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Did you do choose shoe trees?

[Ralph Lauren]

I have shoe trees now.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

You have shoe trees now?

[Ralph Lauren]

I have shoe trees now, and I love it.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Was there a choice that you had to make that allowed you to fulfill your destiny of being who you are, sitting where you are now? That was difficult. You never did have a difficulty?

[Ralph Lauren]

I didn't have a choice. I really didn't stop and say, this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to make a right turn here and a left turn here. I did it every day. Every day at work.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

So are you just operating on instinct, or are you just going by your own?

[Ralph Lauren]

No, I operate on instinct, but I also operate with talent around me. I don't think you live it alone. You have talent. You have people that know you and know how you think, and you can bounce ideas off and they're stimulating. I was going to open the store right opposite my mansion on 72nd Street. And my right arm at that time, Peter Strom, he said. I said, you know, we've got to get that story. As soon as I was walking into my mansion that was monumental on 72nd in Madison, I said, let's get that store across the street. Now, what does that sound like for a guy who's trying to. Saying he's humble. And I was excited by change and growth and expansion.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yes.

[Ralph Lauren]

And he said, ralph, you can do whatever you want. He said, if you take that building, you'll be out of business, so you take the choice. And I went with him. He was right.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

You listened to.

[Ralph Lauren]

I listen. And I think you got to know when to listen and when to not listen. You can't have someone tell you what to do every time, or they may not have the same thing in your mind. You have a gut inside you that says, I can do this. I'm gonna make it. You know? And then when it doesn't happen, you feel like, why didn't I make this?

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

So what you're saying is also, which I found this to be true. The key to actually continuing to move forward, expansion, no matter what it is, you got to surround yourself with the right people.

[Ralph Lauren]

Every time I hire a good person, I'm elated. I say, oh, wow, she was great. I'm glad she's here. That is one of my joys, believe it or not, in building a company and enjoying the sense that it stands alone. It's a public company now. I have to do a job. It's not private. Little kid Walking around with shoes, shoes and ties. I have to do something. I have to make this be an important. People invest their money in the company. People are spending hard earned money to buy my stock and I have to do as best I can to correct them. And I got to take chances and I got to do what I believe in in a few. Believe in it and step back and get nervous. Then you're going to trouble. So it's always important to have the right person with you, to have the right talents. I'm opening a store today, actually, downtown. And it's beautiful. But it was a bad store before, but business was bad. People talking about retail being not successful. The store is going to be a winner.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

What makes your stores winners? I mean, I love the store in Chicago so much. I used to just go when I just wanted to like refresh myself whether I was gonna buy something or not. Because it's like stepping into a story.

[Ralph Lauren]

Yes, yes.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

But like stepping into a story.

[Ralph Lauren]

That's what I do.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yeah, it's like a movie set.

[Ralph Lauren]

I'm in the movies. And I don't mean the movies today. I understand it, I feel it. I feel what it is to go somewhere and be inspired. You need that. You need inspiration. And I think the stories I have are not about hanging clothes. It's like, oh, I love that. Can I have that? Can I have that whole. I want that chair and the blanket? I want that.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Oh, okay. You all are doing that on purpose because I want the whole thing. I want the thing that's on the mannequin and I want the thing behind it and I want the chair and then I want that. Yes, I want the pillow next to that. I want all of it.

[Ralph Lauren]

I'm still the same way. That way too. That is. You love the dream. You have values. That's why I think when we spoke, I saw a connection to you that was really nice and was a matter of. I miss that.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

And this is what happens. Your values come through in your clothes. That's what you're saying about what we were talking earlier about integrity. So we're going to a big celebration tomorrow night and there will be all of us there wearing our vintage Ralph and our new Ralph. And people will be giving you standing ovations and accolades and you won't even know where to turn in that room with all of the love coming forth. And when you leave, what will you be most grateful for?

[Ralph Lauren]

That I made it through the night. To be honest with you, I'm looking forward to it and I'm Also, I've lived through so many different things, but it's a little painful going through this.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Is it?

[Ralph Lauren]

Because I am not a party person and I like my own privacy. And I feel like when I invite somebody, I'm sort of saying, why would they go to my party? You know, because I don't like to go to places. But it's very exciting that you're coming. It's very exciting. People that wanted to come and I'm like, oh, my God. I feel like, what am I going to do now? You know, I feel like I feel.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Sit there and receive it.

[Ralph Lauren]

I feel like I'm going to disappoint everyone. You know, I'm sure of myself, but I'm not sure of myself like anybody. I don't want to disappoint anyone. I don't want anyone to say, I want to dull a party or that's

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

not going to happen. You know that.

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, it's not, you know, I know it and I don't know it. I, I honestly, honestly am very thrilled that people are coming and people that I admire, people I respect. It's a wonderful thing.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

We're celebrating the 50 years. It's obviously, it's a landmark, but for you it's just, it's like 50 and now the next year will be 51.

[Ralph Lauren]

Well, I've already designed into 1950 and 52, so it's not a matter of that. I don't take anything for granted. I don't know how to think about this day. I don't. I can't find the uplifting of life. I don't have a big philosophy about this day. I don't want to be disappointing. You know, when you watch the Academy Awards and someone gets up and speaks and you want them to say something that makes mean something to you in two minutes, you want them to, you know, and, and, and some of these wonderful actors and actresses, they can't say it in two minutes and they can't blow you away in two minutes. And I've made some speeches where I was. Oh, my God, I made a great look at. You know, I never write my speeches. I don't. I'm not committing your speech, Ralph, you

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

have to know nobody's coming tomorrow night. Certainly I'm not. People are coming because of you and what this represents. It's because it's like, it's like a gathering, celebration of shared aspiration and values. That's what it is. It's like as we celebrate you, we also get to celebrate that part of us that wants to aspire to be the best best of ourselves. That's what it is. So you don't even have to worry about the speech.

[Ralph Lauren]

I do it.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yeah.

[Ralph Lauren]

I do it and it comes.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yeah, it's gonna come.

[Ralph Lauren]

And it'll come if it's your natural. And I can handle it.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yeah.

[Ralph Lauren]

I'm curious. But until it happens, I'm busy working on everything I have to do, and I feel it's gonna be interesting. And I hope it comes out as we see it and. But you are really. I haven't spoken to you in a while, and I remember why I like you so much and the way you get into it and you really dig into the soul of everything. But for yourself, too.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Yes, for myself, too.

[Ralph Lauren]

Yeah, I see it.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Well, I want to thank you for being who you've been all these years. Thank you for the integrity. We need it more than ever in this world.

[Ralph Lauren]

Thank you.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

All right, looking forward to tomorrow.

[Oprah Winfrey]

I'm Oprah Winfrey and you've been listening to Super Soul Conversations, the podcast. You can follow Super Soul on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. If you haven't yet, go to Apple Podcasts and subscribe. Rate and review this podcast. Join me next week for another Super Soul Conversation.

[Interviewer (possibly a journalist or podcast host)]

Thank you for listening.