Which designer introduced the polo shirt with the embroidered pony logo in 1972?

Ralph Lauren introduced the polo shirt with the embroidered pony logo in 1972.

The shirt became a central symbol of the Ralph Lauren brand and helped define a polished version of American sportswear. Its small embroidered polo player referenced the sport of polo while communicating an aspirational lifestyle associated with country clubs, leisure and classic tailoring.

Lauren had launched his business in 1967 with a line of men’s ties. The polo shirt followed five years later and expanded the label’s identity beyond accessories. It was offered in a broad range of colors and helped establish the designer’s approach of turning familiar American clothing into a cohesive luxury lifestyle.

The embroidered player is often called the “Polo Pony,” but it should not be confused with the official logo of the sport itself. Ralph Lauren’s company also became associated with the Polo Ralph Lauren sub-label, whose name and imagery built on the same equestrian reference.