Ralph Lauren

 Ralph Lauren has a classy elegance about their whole look, and even their stores. Visiting the Flagship store might have been one of my favorite classes so far! I had no idea that they made purses, and fine jewelry. Being in the retail business at Michael Kors I really took all of the customer service amazing and as great advice and tips to make the customer feel at home and appreciated, because loyal customers are the ones that keep these amazing stores and businesses running. The service in particular that I enjoyed was the car services, Stephanie said sometimes they will take clients to certain places or pick them up. There were also butler services, a full equip kitchen where they prepare food, and give clients water with lemon, or even sparkling water. With their extensive customer service it lures the customer into trusting their opinions and feeling comfortable enough to try whatever they suggest, which is a big step in retail. At Michael Kors, we mostly sell handbags, so I was all over the Ricky made-to-order handbag. As I mentioned before I had no idea that Ralph Lauren made handbags, they were so classy and I was loving the teal croc leather. 
     The interior of the store was amazing. It really felt like a home, even though most of us do not live in four story mansions! Every product was so preciously displayed. In the fine jewelry section which we learned is new to Ralph Lauren, the pieces were in their own glass box with black fabric behind it to make them pop. With the jewelry, being a horse owner and lover, I was amazed with the stirrup necklace! I learned that their watches range from $2300 to over $10000, and their median price for a watch was $25000!! I could not imagine selling that high price of an item!!
     The second floor we learned more about the apparel. It was comforting to know that their pieces are made in NYC. One dress in particular the beaded evening gown was so immaculate, the beading is all hand done with each bead and done in India. Each of the garments are hand cut and sewn, this really gives the uniqueness to each item. Usually most companies work with China and India because it is cheap and keep costs down, but at Ralph Lauren it was stressed that it is done there strictly because it is the best work and that the cost does not matter.  I admire that, because they want their customer and clientele to be in the most fabulous clothes that they deserve and to have unique one of a kind pieces! Another factor that I loved about their fabrics was that they work closely with PETA and all of their furs and leathers are from animals that are eaten. Working with leathers I find that admirable and really brings respect towards the company that they know where they get their leathers and furs from. 
     The architecture and the interior design in the store is so rich and looking out the balcony on the second floor, it almost felt like being in the streets of Paris! The store that we went to took 6 years to finally be done and is only about a year old. At first I thought to myself that's a long time to be working on this place, but it is filled with such detail and great thought that I definitely think that it was worth it, and that the sales of the store proves it!
     The fourth floor was also so amazing. The dark room that they change 2 times a year had such an amazing feel of elegance and old 20's glam. Interior design is so inspiring to me and it's amazing what people can do with it.
     I was very surprised and admired to hear that Ralph Lauren himself is involved in 100% of what you see in the store. Nowadays you hear of designers and that they have a lot of people that do a lot for them. Even though he has tons of help with his brand, it is nice to know he cares to see what is in the store and appreciates what his sales team does! This tour made me really appreciate being in retail and sales, and also that Ralph Lauren may be a brand that I would potentially work for at some point in my life!
     The whitney museum was one of the few museums that I have been in new york but I plan on going to more within the next few months left here! I loved my art history classes at Kent and it was really inspiring to see all American Art!