American Icon Ralph Lauren and His Family
Photo: Getty
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The Lauren children seem to have inherited their father's creativity and ambition. Ricky and Ralph's oldest son, 42-year-old Andrew, is a successful movie producer. His film The Squid and the Whale was nominated for an Oscar® in 2006, and Andrew says his father's designs have been a source of inspiration.
"The first movie I made was a film called G, which was a hip-hop Great Gatsby. My father actually did the clothes for The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford," Andrew says. "It is about making stories, telling stories."
David, who's 39 years old, is the only child to go into the family business. He serves as executive vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications at Polo Ralph Lauren. "I'm lucky to have a boss who is also my mentor and my father," David says. "What makes the company special is that there are 22,000 employees who all look at my father like a father. In many ways, they're my extended family. It's brothers and sisters around the world, who feel that same connection." David is engaged to Lauren Bush, the granddaughter of former President H.W. George Bush and niece of former President George W. Bush.
The Laurens' only daughter, 37-year-old Dylan, owns her own successful business, Dylan's Candy Bar. This Manhattan sweet spot is one of the largest candy stores in the world. "To me, candy is more than just candy you eat—it's fashion, it's colors, it's pop culture, it's art," Dylan says. "I just love it."
Andrew, David and Dylan say their parents always encouraged them to pursue their passions. "There was never any pressure to do anything or be anything more than what we felt comfortable with," David says. "Whether it was with our homework or with our jobs, it was always a feeling of 'Just be happy.'"
"The first movie I made was a film called G, which was a hip-hop Great Gatsby. My father actually did the clothes for The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford," Andrew says. "It is about making stories, telling stories."
David, who's 39 years old, is the only child to go into the family business. He serves as executive vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications at Polo Ralph Lauren. "I'm lucky to have a boss who is also my mentor and my father," David says. "What makes the company special is that there are 22,000 employees who all look at my father like a father. In many ways, they're my extended family. It's brothers and sisters around the world, who feel that same connection." David is engaged to Lauren Bush, the granddaughter of former President H.W. George Bush and niece of former President George W. Bush.
The Laurens' only daughter, 37-year-old Dylan, owns her own successful business, Dylan's Candy Bar. This Manhattan sweet spot is one of the largest candy stores in the world. "To me, candy is more than just candy you eat—it's fashion, it's colors, it's pop culture, it's art," Dylan says. "I just love it."
Andrew, David and Dylan say their parents always encouraged them to pursue their passions. "There was never any pressure to do anything or be anything more than what we felt comfortable with," David says. "Whether it was with our homework or with our jobs, it was always a feeling of 'Just be happy.'"
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