Ralph Lauren is an American icon—and he and his company have helped to preserve another important American icon, the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the poem that would become our National Anthem in 1814.
On June 17th, the Smithsonian Institution awarded Mr. Lauren the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal to honor him for his work to preserve the flag, as well as his contributions to American life through his fashion and design. The story of the flag spoke to Mr. Lauren, the child of immigrants who made his own American Dream through fashion—and the story of the flag and Mr. Lauren’s journey both embody the spirit of our country.
Ralph Lauren receives the James Smithson Bicentennial Award. (Photo Courtesy of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History)
The 200-year-old flag has been in the possession of the Smithsonian Institution since 1907, when it arrived tattered and torn from decades of use at Fort McHenry, with deterioration due to exposure to ultraviolet light, pollution, humidity, and temperature changes. The museum attempted to restore it twice, but in 1996, it was clear that an extensive conservation effort would be necessary to ensure that this piece of American history could be admired by generations of Americans to come. But, of course, the conservation would need to be done with utmost care, as one false move could permanently destroy the delicate flag.
Photo Courtesy of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
Enter Ralph Lauren. “I am a product of the American dream, and the flag is its symbol,” he wrote in a message to the medal ceremony attendees.
Born in the Bronx to parents who had emigrated from Belarus, Mr. Lauren grew up in New York City and eventually enlisted in the United States Army. After serving two years, he realized his passion for the clothing industry and began selling ties out of a drawer in the Empire State Building. The rest, as USFIA members know, is history.
Ralph Lauren accepts his award, alongside Hillary Clinton. (Credit: USFIA)
“I was personally inspired to have Polo Ralph Lauren help save our greatest American treasure—the original Star-Spangled Banner. Understanding that this almost two-hundred-year-old hand-sewn piece of art was rapidly deteriorating but could be saved for future generations, we made a commitment,” he added. “When you visit it in its new home at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, you experience some of the same emotion that inspired Francis Scott Key…[t]he ragged edges, patches, and holes are still there, and although its stripes are tattered and its stars are faded, it has endured—‘our flag was,’ and is, ‘still there.’”
And last week, Ralph Lauren arrived at the museum’s beautiful rotunda to receive the medal:
The Smithsonian Institution proudly presents the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal to Ralph Lauren for the embodiment of the American Experience through fashion, design, and philanthropy; for supporting artistry, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship for more than five decades; and for redefining for national and international audiences a style that embodies the American spirit. Through these achievements, he has profoundly contributed to the fulfillment of James Smithson’s mandate for the ‘increase and diffusion of knowledge.’
The patriotic ceremony evoked tears from all attendees, including Mr. Lauren, who was introduced by yet another American icon: Hillary Clinton. (No, she didn’t make any big announcements at the event, but she did praise Mr. Lauren for his commitment to his country and his “great American company,” which is “synonymous with American aspiration and style.”) Additionally, 15 new Americans from 15 countries—in honor of the 15 stars and 15 stripes on the flag—were naturalized and encouraged to “respond to the call” like Mr. Lauren did so many times.
For more information on Ralph Lauren's award, visit the Ralph Lauren website.
For more information on the Star-Spangled Banner and the restoration project, visit the museum website.
For more photos of the event, visit our Facebook page.