True Confessions: My favorite Ralph Lauren Model . . . Christian Bales! (At least it LOOKS like him...)

I have a confession to make, I have a TOTAL crush on this male Ralph Lauren model. Ever since the first time I saw him in an Ralph Lauren ad, I have thought he looks like my absolute favorite movie star hottie, Christian Bales. What do you think? Agree? AGREE!

Trivia Tidbit of the Day

The Lifshitz Name Change (Thank heavens)

At age 16, Ralph's brother Jerry changed their last name from Lifshitz to Lauren. Their brother Lenny retained the name Lifsihitz for many years.

I don't know about you, but I think that name change thing was a pretty darn good idea. I would have a pretty tough time feeling proud of wearing something labeled Ralph Lifshitz.

Ralph Lauren Signature Stores - The ULTIMATE retail experience!

There are currently more than 150 Ralph Lauren stores worldwide. But the following signature stores are the ultimate showcases for Ralph Lauren collections. The signature stores offer unparalleled customer service, an enormous selection, and, unfortunately, lots of full retail prices. Oh well, they're GORGEOUS!

My life's goal is to visit every single one of them. As I get there, I'll check them off and report to you. If you've been to any of these stores, post a comment and tell us what you thought!

MADISON AVENUE STORE:

867 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021

Phone: 212-606-2100

Hours: Mon-Wed 10-7, Thu 10-8, Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6

"To me it's the most beautiful store in the world: the details, the world it creates, the mix, the textures. It’s a store that has an emotional impact. I’ve watched so many people come into it and be dazzled when they enter.—Ralph Lauren

TOKYO, JAPAN STORE:

4-25-15 Jingumae, Tokyo, , Japan

Phone: 03.6438.5800

Located in the renowned Omotesando shopping area of Tokyo, this 24,000-square foot store, with its striking Beaux Arts-inspired façade, makes a bold statement of time-honored elegance in a region famed for extravagantly modern architecture.

MILAN, ITALY STORE:

Via Montenapoleone 4, Milano, 20121, Italy

Phone: 39.02.77.88.721

Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30 - 7:30, Sun Closed

Located at 4 via Montenapoleone, home to some of the world’s most prestigious shops, the extraordinary Milan store follows in the tradition of the Rhinelander Mansion in New York City and No. 1 New Bond Street in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND STORE:

No 1 New Bond Street, London, W1S 3RL

Phone: 44.20.7535.4600

Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu 10-7, Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5

Inspired by the great luxury ocean liners of the twenties, the London flagship blends Art Deco architecture with the robust opulence of gentlemen's clubs.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS STORE:

750 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 312-280-1655

Hours: Mon-Sat 10-7, Sun 11-5

The décor of theChicago flagship was inspired by the old-world elegance of New York’s renowned Metropolitan Club.

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA STORE:

300 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480

Phone: 561-651-3900

Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Closed Sun

Applauded by the Palm Beach Preservation Society, this elegant store is situated in the heart of the city’s famous Worth Avenue esplanade.

EAST HAMPTON, NEW YORK STORE:

31-33 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937

Phone: 631-324-1222

Hours: Mon-Thu 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-7, Sun 11-5

A modern retail environment modeled after a local general store, the East Hampton location exemplifies the classic Polo country lifestyle. *This is the store I just want to move right in to!!

SOHO (NEW YORK CITY) STORE:

379 West Broadway, New York, NY 10012

Phone: 212-625-1660

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-7, Sun 12-6

Located on West Broadway, in New York’s hip SoHo shopping district, this Ralph Lauren store combines luxury chic with cool, urban style.

SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA STORE:

740 Collins Avenue, South Beach, FL 33139

Phone: 305-672-7750

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-9, Sun 12-7

With a juice joint and music listening stations, this store brings together an irresistible combination of Ralph Lauren style and South Beach energy.

The Book "Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren" by Michael Gross

In 2004, Michael Gross's book "Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren" was published. Here is an Editorial Review from Publisher's Weekly:

Like his previous book, Model, Gross's new work will undoubtedly be mined for the more gossipy nuggets embedded in his meticulous research and artful prose. This is a shame, because the crackerjack journalist simultaneously tells a compelling story and gives it meat enough to be satisfying. It does help, however, that his subject is intriguing enough to fill multiple volumes. Lauren (ne Lifshitz) embodied a certain kind of American dream from early childhood, a kid who didn't just want to be rich, but to be of the rich, a Jay Gatsby made manifest who didn't have a penny, but fantasized about expensive cars, lush vacation spots and preppy girls in loafers. Gross details Lauren's story chronologically, and with a resolute pace: the icon's tale of ambition and meteoric rise unfolds smoothly as the awkward Jewish boy grows into the personification of grim determination. Gross provides surprisingly little commentary, given the book's slightly bitter introduction about Lauren's ping-ponging relationship to the project. What Gross does offer is a rich portrait not just of Lauren, but of the Bronx in the early and mid-20th century, the type of class clash that transcends time or place and the effects of ambition on a teenager who hates his name and burns with desire whenever a Rolls-Royce cruises by. There are passages that will delight the celebrity-obsessed, but the full story is much richer. Most importantly, and delightfully, Gross delivers a portrait of a man who's constructed a flawless image, but whose real self is far more fascinating and deeply human.

If you want to get the whole dish on Michael Gross's book "Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren" the link below will take you to his website where you can read additional reviews, a brief synopsis, and even an excerpt. Sounds pretty much like a gossip-filled hot, Hollywood novel to me.

http://www.mgross.com/books/genuine-authentic/

Trivia Tidbit - The " Friends" Connection

In the NBC television sitcom Friends, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) worked for Ralph Lauren's corporate office in the final two seasons, and the climax of the final episode involved Rachel deciding whether to take a job in Paris or stay at Ralph Lauren in New York. Ralph Lauren played himself twice during the show.

What do you think? All I know is that she and Ross drove me crazy for at least 4 seasons, and I never DID get complete resolution on that story line. Darn sitcom writers, they just LOVE to torture the viewers.

Article in Men's Vogue: Ralph Lauren - King of the Road

Back when he was just a tie salesman, Ralph Lauren's first splurge was a white convertible. (Man, when I got my first job, my first splurge was a 3-piece outfit by Liz Claiborne Sport. Blouse, skirt, pants -- the works. All I can say is that he must've been selling a HECK of a lot of ties to be able to afford a white convertible. ) Anway, forty years later, he pulls back the tarp on what has become the world's greatest car collection. My husband would kill for just ONE of his cars.

Hudson Morgan has written an article in Men's Vogue on an American Visionary, Ralph Lauren, and his world-class car collection. Read the entire article at the link below:

(Oh, and by the way, MY first car was a 1983 Red Subaru. ALMOST as good as the white convertible.)

http://www.mensvogue.com/business/articles/2007/09/ralph_lauren

Trivia Tidbit - The Calvin Klein Connection

From a young age, Ralph Lauren started working after school to earn money to buy suits. The four-year younger Calvin Klien lived in the same Bronx neighborhood, but it is not known if they ever met while living there.

They must have had some serious fashion-minerals in the water of that Bronx neighborhood. Heaven knows, there wasn't any in mine. That's ok, it's nothing that a few fabulous pieces of Ralph Lauren clothing won't fix!