Very Ralph (HBO)

About Very Ralph (HBO)

"Very Ralph," released by HBO in 2019, is an outstanding documentary film directed by Susan Lacy. This comprehensive and intimate film vividly captures the life, work, and influence of the American fashion designer, Ralph Lauren. Beyond clothing, Lauren's influence spans home furnishings, media, and even restaurants. The film offers an unrivaled and phenomenally detailed representation of Ralph's journey, from his childhood in the Bronx, New York City, to the creation of multi-billion dollar, global lifestyle empire.

Making / Production

Under the helm of Emmy Award-winning documentary producer Susan Lacy, "Very Ralph" boasts an intimate, extensive, and elaborate production process that took almost two years. The film combines a blend of rich archival footage, star-studded interviews, and cinematic visuals that gleam with Lauren's unique sense of style.

Actors

• Ralph Lauren as Himself - The central focus of the documentary; Ralph Lauren shares personal insights into his life, his inspirations, and his empire with remarkable depth and honesty.
• Anderson Cooper as Himself - A long-time family friend, Anderson lends personal reflections about Ralph Lauren's impact on the fashion world and beyond.
• Karl Lagerfeld as Himself - Lagerfeld, before his untimely 2019 death, offers unique insights into Ralph's influence from the perspective of a fellow designer.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The documentary includes exclusive interviews with famous figures such as Hilary Clinton, Martha Stewart, and Calvin Klein.
• Ralph Lauren is the first designer to own his own store.
• The documentary provided 50 years of archive footage, imagery, and home videos from Ralph Lauren's personal collection.

Quotes

• "I've never wanted to be in fashion. Because if you're in fashion, you're going to be out of fashion." - Ralph Lauren
• "The key to life is not what life gives to you but what you bring to it." - Ralph Lauren
• "I am not a fashion person. I am a style person." - Ralph Lauren

Music, Soundtrack

• While there isn't any particular soundtrack linked to the documentary, its uses a range of music that matches the ebb and flow of Ralph Lauren's life, echoing his changing mood, tone, and genre.