Ralph Lauren is a fashion designer from the United States who is best known for the Ralph Lauren Polo brand. He got his training in the clothing industry working as a salesman for Brooks Brothers. He then went out and struck it on his own in 1966 when he started producing neckties. He got his breakthrough the following year when he was backed financially by Norman Hilton. It was then that he started using the Polo brand after Brooks Brothers granted him the rights to use the trademark. In 1972, he released his now famous short sleeve pique shirt with the logo of a polo player. The shirt has now become an icon and Ralph Lauren is now one of the richest people in the world.