Long before he became a fashion icon, he was Ralph Lipschitz, the youngest son of Jewish immigrant parents living in the Bronx. Growing up, he learned to escape his family's poverty by going to the movies and immersing himself in the fictional plot lines. He further detached from his humble origins in his late teens when he chose to change his name from Lipschitz to Lauren after enduring years of teasing and bullying. Later, after a short stint in the army, Lauren moved back to New York City and started working as a clerk at Brooks Brothers. Having only a high school diploma and a few business classes under his belt, the decision to start his own company was the first of many risks Lauren would take in his legendary career. The radical approach won over Bloomingdale's — and loads of customers. He sold $500,000 worth of ties in one year. Despite such quick success, Lauren relentlessly expanded his company. "Ralph doesn't sit on his laurels for one minute," Lauren's protégé John Varvatos told Bloomberg. "You can enjoy the moment, but you have to keep things going — and you can't be a one-trick pony." When it came to new design ideas, Lauren kept it simple. He envisioned clothing that he would want to wear, clothing fit for a movie star.