What do you think?
Rate this book
Ralph Lauren Diary of a Collection
The landmark volume celebrating the life and work of Ralph Lauren—the vision of the brand as told and presented by Lauren himself—in a smaller, more portable edition, with additional photographs updated to the present.
In this visually stunning book, Lauren speaks candidly about himself and his art. In part one, we get to know the designer through never-before-seen pictures of him in private life and with his family, living the lives he designs for. In the second part, Lauren displays and writes about his most iconic and most beloved work, handpicked from hundreds of collections and his signature cinematic advertising campaigns. Lauren’s aesthetic influence and unique design sensibility are captured here by fashion’s finest photographers, including Bruce Weber, Deborah Turbeville, and Patrick Demarchelier.
Now expanded with new photography, this unique fashion monograph is a personal expression of the artist and a rare peek into the mind of one of America’s most accomplished fashion designers.
In this visually stunning book, Lauren speaks candidly about himself and his art. In part one, we get to know the designer through never-before-seen pictures of him in private life and with his family, living the lives he designs for. In the second part, Lauren displays and writes about his most iconic and most beloved work, handpicked from hundreds of collections and his signature cinematic advertising campaigns. Lauren’s aesthetic influence and unique design sensibility are captured here by fashion’s finest photographers, including Bruce Weber, Deborah Turbeville, and Patrick Demarchelier.
Now expanded with new photography, this unique fashion monograph is a personal expression of the artist and a rare peek into the mind of one of America’s most accomplished fashion designers.
100 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
434 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 20, 2018
Hmmmm, what do I say?
This book is like a giant ad campaign for Ralph Lauren products - clothing and home furnishings. He tells you what a regular guy from the Bronx he is while living in fabulously expensive homes and wearing clothing most people could never afford. And yet I believe him. He has style, has no problem wearing or suggesting we wear older, worn clothing as long as it’s worn with a sense of style. I loved looking through it at the hundreds of photos of his gorgeous designs, reading the very limited text he wrote, and seeing photos of him, his wife, and his children. I actually remember some of the ads from many years ago!
In this publication , as in his products, Ralph Lauren sells dreams. He tells you that he dreamed as a kid and turned it into a career. He simply shares his work and thoughts on style in a beautiful coffee table book.
This book is like a giant ad campaign for Ralph Lauren products - clothing and home furnishings. He tells you what a regular guy from the Bronx he is while living in fabulously expensive homes and wearing clothing most people could never afford. And yet I believe him. He has style, has no problem wearing or suggesting we wear older, worn clothing as long as it’s worn with a sense of style. I loved looking through it at the hundreds of photos of his gorgeous designs, reading the very limited text he wrote, and seeing photos of him, his wife, and his children. I actually remember some of the ads from many years ago!
In this publication , as in his products, Ralph Lauren sells dreams. He tells you that he dreamed as a kid and turned it into a career. He simply shares his work and thoughts on style in a beautiful coffee table book.
August 12, 2011
This extra-large beautiful book was given to me by my son Phil. He is also a big fan of Lauren. This book is about Ralph Lauren the man. It is filled with beautiful photos of him, his family and his collections. Here are some cool facts I learned about Ralph Lauren. He grew up in the Bronx. He never went to Fashion School. In his first year of business he worked out of a single drawer for a tie manufacturer. He made $500,000.00 his first year of business selling his ties. He calls it Polo because it represents a sport that is sporty, interactive and stylish. He met his wife 42 years ago in a doctors office. He loves to go shopping with his wife. Wow! Can I clone him? He collects cars and Native American artifacts. He loves movies and gets inspiration from them. He designs a collection with a heroine in mind. Best of all, he believes in the American Dream and lives it!
August 30, 2022
This IS a giant "ode to Ralph" and I'm totally here for it. He dreams, takes us all with him, and so inspires us to better people than we are.
October 15, 2024
A visual treat!
November 25, 2015
Disappointing.
Love Ralph (my favorite designer), but he deserves a better tribute than this hodge-podge of photographs. The book is divided into topics, but they all blended into each other; there needed to be a clearer division between topics or arrangement by chronology. The whole thing feels disorganized and haphazardly arranged. I'll be waiting for a better visual biography of this fashion pioneer!
Love Ralph (my favorite designer), but he deserves a better tribute than this hodge-podge of photographs. The book is divided into topics, but they all blended into each other; there needed to be a clearer division between topics or arrangement by chronology. The whole thing feels disorganized and haphazardly arranged. I'll be waiting for a better visual biography of this fashion pioneer!
February 28, 2008
Ralph Lauren by Ralph Lauren with numerous photographs by Bruce Weber is a magnificent tome. This big book, which must way 40 pounds, takes the reader on a journey through Ralph's life and career with short vignettes and incredible photographs.
If you have ever worn the Polo label or if you are nostalogic for the eighties, check out this fashion book!
If you have ever worn the Polo label or if you are nostalogic for the eighties, check out this fashion book!
May 15, 2015
"Todos nós recebemos relatórios de muitas maneiras diferentes, mas a verdadeira emoção do que você está fazendo está em fazê-lo. Não é o que você vai conseguir no final, é realmente em fazer, e amar o que você está fazendo".
(Ralph Lauren)
January 17, 2008
Biased-I love Ralph Lauren. Extremely stylish.
January 20, 2009
not worth buying - unless you are obsessed with Ralph or pictures of him. the book is huge too - a 20 x 30" dumbell!
May 13, 2014
LOVE this book, I Love the man, Love his work.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews