Joe Biden awards Ralph Lauren Presidential Medal of Freedom

Ralph Lauren has made history as the first fashion designer to ever receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The style icon, 85, was presented the award — the nation’s highest civilian honor — by President Biden, 82, in Washington on Saturday afternoon.

“America is my country — my home and its history, traditions and values have always been an inspiration,” Lauren told The Post.

“To receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom conferred personally by the President of the United States is an honor of a lifetime. As a proud American citizen, I accept it with gratitude and great humility.”

The NYC native was one of 19 recipients awarded the medal at Saturday’s ceremony, with Anna Wintour, Hillary Clinton and Michael J. Fox among the other notable names honored.

Lauren was chosen by Biden for his “extraordinary contributions as a visionary designer, trailblazing entrepreneur, innovative business leader, and dedicated philanthropist.”

Lauren’s clothes have long been loved and worn by President Biden and First Lady Jill, 73, who notably attended the designer’s Spring 2025 New York Fashion Week show in The Hamptons last September.

Lauren, born Ralph Lipschitz, grew up in The Bronx before launching an eponymous line of ties in the mid-1960s.

From there, the visionary designer began creating clothing for both men and women, transforming the way America dressed.

Signature garments such as the Polo shirt and Ralph Lauren bear sweater have become staples of the American wardrobe.

The designer has also dressed some of the country’s most powerful people, including politicians, princesses, celebrities, and even the US Olympic team.

But Lauren has been selling more than just clothes. By combining East Coast prep with the cowboy cool of the West, he’s also been selling an aspirational idea of America itself.

“I don’t design clothes, I design dreams,” the avowed movie lover once declared.

“Through his cinematic advertising, and the intricate beauty of his stores and restaurants, Lauren has redefined American style,” the rep for the Ralph Lauren Corporation stated.

Over the decades, the Ralph Lauren brand has expanded beyond apparel, selling accessories, fragrances and home decor – making the designer one of the wealthiest men in the biz.

Lauren has amassed a personal net worth of $10.8 billion, according to Forbes, while the Ralph Lauren Corporation brought in $6.63 billion in revenue last year.

Lauren has become a prominent philanthropist, with his Ralph Lauren Corporation Foundation donating tens of millions of dollars to various causes since its establishment in 2001.

Among the issues close to Lauren’s heart: cancer care and prevention and environmental advocacy.