The Ralph Lauren look: Hefty book marks 40 years

NEW YORK — He's been called a fashion legend — an icon whose innovation and vision brought us timeless classics, leaving an indelible and enduring mark on the world of fashion.

But Ralph Lauren doesn't see himself as that. "I don't think anyone sees themselves as a legend," Lauren said. "I think they see themselves as hard working, doing what they love to do."

Lauren may be modest about his accomplishments, but the company he started four decades ago with neckwear earned $4.3 billion this year.

His empire includes furniture, fragrances, towels, sheets, paint and, of course, those famous knit two-button shirts with the iconic logo of a polo player and pony.

This month, Lauren released a close to 500-page coffee-table book that looks back at his beginnings and his 40 years in the fashion business through 750 photographs and personal narration. "Ralph Lauren" includes a foreword by Audrey Hepburn — the speech she gave when she presented Lauren with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Council for American Fashion Designers award ceremony in 1992. The book retails for $135.

Lauren made a rare public appearance at Bergdorf Goodman in New York last Thursday to sign the tome.

"It is beautiful," said Lori Zelenko, president of LSZ Communications, the public-relations agency for Parlux Fragrances Inc., who bought two books. "Looking at it brought, 'Oh I remember those looks. I remember that ad campaign. I remember that feeling.' A lot of what he is about is a lifestyle, whether it is about the clothes specifically or not, it's about evoking an experience."

Zelenko was among 500 people at the party, waiting in a long line to meet the man who was born Ralph Lifshitz and grew up in the Bronx. Celebrities included model-actor Tyson Beckford; Mary Alice Stephenson, host of VH1's new series "America's Most Smartest Model"; and actress Michelle Monaghan.

Lauren, who turned 68 Oct. 14, has a net worth of $4.7 billion, according to Forbes magazine's most recent ranking of the 400 richest Americans, which means he's old enough and rich enough to retire. But he's not planning to — at least right now.

Last month, he presented his 40th anniversary collection at New York Fashion Week, sauntering down the runway to Frank Sinatra's "The Best is Yet to Come."

"I love what I do, and I feel like I have a contribution to make," he said.

Lauren said 40 years is "monumental," and is one of the reasons he decided to do a book.

When asked what he was going to do next, he responded: "I'm doing 'next' every year. I keep working. I've got so many projects. There's always a next."