NEW YORK, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) announced that John Mehas has joined the company as president and chief executive officer of Club Monaco, the Canadian-based international retailer acquired by Polo in May 1999. Mr. Mehas reports to Roger Farah, president and chief operating officer, Polo Ralph Lauren and will be based in Toronto.

"We're extremely pleased that John has joined Polo Ralph Lauren as president and CEO of Club Monaco. He's a seasoned merchant with extensive experience in vertical retailing operations. As Polo Ralph Lauren continues the North American expansion of Club Monaco's business, John's knowledge of men's and women's merchandising and the retail environment will be a tremendous asset," commented Roger Farah, president and chief operating officer of Polo Ralph Lauren.

Prior to joining Polo Ralph Lauren, Mehas was a senior merchandising executive at The Gap, Inc. During his four years at the vertical retailer, he held a variety of merchandising positions for the Gap, Gap Kids and Gap Outlet stores. Prior to that, he was responsible for men's and women's merchandising at Bloomingdale's, rising to the office of senior vice president of sportswear.

"I'm thrilled with the opportunity to join Club Monaco and the management team of Polo Ralph Lauren. Polo's a world class company with a real depth of talent and creativity and I'm pleased to be a part of such a dynamic organization. Club Monaco is an exciting retail concept and I'm looking forward to the North American expansion and the continued growth of the brand," said John Mehas, president and CEO of Club Monaco.

Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 30 years, Polo's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include, "Polo by Ralph Lauren", "Polo Sport Ralph Lauren", "Ralph Lauren Collection", "Ralph Lauren Purple Label", "RALPH by Ralph Lauren", "Lauren by Ralph Lauren", "Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren", and "Chaps Ralph Lauren", among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. In April 1999, Polo Ralph Lauren acquired Club Monaco, a vertical lifestyle retailer based in Toronto. In February 2000, Ralph Lauren Media LLC was formed as a joint venture between Polo Ralph Lauren, NBC and two of NBC's affiliated companies - ValueVision International, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVTV) and NBC Internet, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBCI) - to bring the Polo Ralph Lauren American lifestyle experience to consumers via multiple media platforms, including the Internet, broadcast, cable and print. SOURCE Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation

CONTACT: Ellen Maguire, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation Public Relations,