Ralph Lauren’s first fragrance, launched in 1978, was called Polo.
Polo was introduced as the brand’s first men’s fragrance in 1978, the same year that Ralph Lauren launched Lauren, its first fragrance for women. The simultaneous debut of a men’s and women’s fragrance was unusual for a fashion designer at the time and helped extend Ralph Lauren beyond clothing.
The original Polo scent was created by perfumer Carlos Benaïm. Its composition is known for a green, woody, and spicy character, with notes associated with herbs, conifer woods, oakmoss, vetiver, leather, and tobacco. The deep green bottle and equestrian name reinforced the brand’s sporting, traditionally masculine image.
Safari, Romance, and Ralph were later additions to the fragrance portfolio. They are therefore easy distractors, but none was the original 1978 launch. “Polo” can also cause confusion because it was already the name of Lauren’s neckwear and menswear line.