Dylan Lauren is an American businesswoman. She is the daughter of American fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and the owner of New York City's Dylan's Candy Bar, which claims to be the "largest candy store in the world".[1]
Early life and education
Dylan was born in New York City, the daughter of Ricky Ann Loew-Beer and Ralph Lauren.[2] Her father was the son of Belarusian-Jewish immigrants; her mother was the daughter of a Jewish father and a Catholic mother, both immigrants from Austria.[3][4] Dylan is the youngest of three children, she has two older brothers, including David Lauren.[5]
She attended the Dalton School in New York City[6] and graduated from Duke University, where she studied art history.[7] She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at Duke.[8]
Career
Dylan founded Dylan's Candy Bar in 2001. She was inspired after seeing Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory on her sixth birthday.[9] She was named one of the Top 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers by US Weekly in 2007.[10] Her favorite designers include Ralph Lauren, Alice and Olivia, and 7 For All Mankind.
In 2010 Lauren released a book, “Dylan’s Candy Bar: Unwrap Your Sweet Life.” In December 2015, Dylan launched Dylan's Candy BarN, a granting foundation dedicated to supporting animal welfare organizations.[11]
In 2017, Dylan began starring as a judge on the ABC reality series The Toy Box.[12]
Controversies
Labor issues at Dylan’s Candy Bar
In 2013, employees at the flagship Dylan’s Candy Bar in Manhattan raised concerns over low wages (some as low as US $8.50 per hour), unpredictable schedules, and lack of formal performance reviews. The staff circulated a petition urging management to address these concerns. However, rather than meet with the group collectively, management reportedly invited employees to speak individually, prompting criticism from labor rights advocates. [13]
Use of unpaid internships
Also in 2013, Dylan’s Candy Bar faced criticism for advertising unpaid internship roles, including in its Human Resources department. Critics pointed out that such positions, requiring significant responsibilities, might breach U.S. labor law regarding unpaid internships. [14]
Labor issues at Dylan’s Candy Bar
In 2013, employees at the flagship Dylan’s Candy Bar in Manhattan raised concerns over low wages (some as low as US $8.50 per hour), unpredictable schedules, and lack of formal performance reviews. The staff circulated a petition urging management to address these concerns. However, rather than meet with the group collectively, management reportedly invited employees to speak individually, prompting criticism from labor rights advocates. [13]
Use of unpaid internships
Also in 2013, Dylan’s Candy Bar faced criticism for advertising unpaid internship roles, including in its Human Resources department. Critics pointed out that such positions, requiring significant responsibilities, might breach U.S. labor law regarding unpaid internships. [14]
Personal life
Lauren and hedge fund manager Paul Arrouet married in June 2011. The ceremony was held in Bedford, New York, at the Lauren family estate, and she wore a bridal gown of her father's design.[15] On April 13, 2015, Dylan's surrogate gave birth to fraternal twins.[16]
External links
References
- Super Size Me: Dylan's Candy Bar Gets Bigger Style.com, October 28, 2008, retrieved April 4, 2009^
- Mary Lisa Gavenas. The Fairchild Lauren went to Camp Towanda for summer camp. Encyclopedia of Menswear Bloomsbury Academic, June 8, 2009, retrieved March 13, 2017^
- Michael Gross. Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren Harper Collins, January 20, 2004, retrieved March 13, 2017^
- Bloom, Nate. Interfaith Celebrities: Fall TV Preview, The Emmys and the Laure InterfaithFamily.com, September 13, 2011, retrieved March 13, 2017^
- Christopher Ross. A Day in the Life of David Lauren The Wall Street Journal, September 30, 2015, retrieved September 21, 2019^
- Judith Ohikuare. When Minority Students Attend Elite Private Schools The Atlantic, December 17, 2013, retrieved September 21, 2019^
- The sweet life CNN.com, August 8, 2005, retrieved September 21, 2019^
- Michael Solomon. Sorority Sisters ELLE, September 15, 2011, retrieved September 21, 2019^
- Dylan's Candy Bar website: "History of Dylan's Candy Bar" retrieved June 29, 2012^
- The 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers - Dylan Lauren US Weekly, September 11, 2007, retrieved September 21, 2019^
- Kelli Bender. Dylan's Candy Bar Is Making Life Sweeter for Shelter Pets PEOPLE.com, December 8, 2015, retrieved September 21, 2019^
- ABC Announces Expert Mentors and Young Judges Appearing on Upcoming Toy-Competition Series 'The Toy Box,' Premiering Friday, April 7 ABC, January 4, 2017, retrieved April 7, 2017^
- Steven Greenhouse. Part-Time Life, as Hours Shrink and Shift The New York Times, 2013-10-06, retrieved 2025-06-25^
- Help Wanted at Dylan's Candy Bar: An Unpaid Intern to Do HR's Job Jezebel, August 6, 2013, retrieved 2025-06-25^
- Dylan Lauren and Paul Arrouet The New York Times, June 10, 2011^
- Dylan Lauren welcomes twins People.com, April 15, 2015^