Text: Michael Boudreau (Michael Boodro). Photo: Peter Esterson (Pieter Estersohn). Produced by: Anita Sarsidi.
Fashion designersAs a child, Ralph Lauren went toschool in a carefully ironed suit, ignoring the teasing of his peers who wore leather jackets and jeans a la Marlon Brando. Later, the ability to live and work without looking back at others brought him worldwide fame. Classic business suits and polo shirts from Lauren are not the kind of things that look trendy today, but ridiculous in six months. His designs do not age for decades. "Fashion trends come and go, but style remains," the designer philosophically states in response to accusations of conservatism. Ralph Lauren's country house on Long Island is clear evidence that this recipe works not only in the fashion world.
