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Lecture

Professor David Peimer
Jewish Fashion Giants: Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, Calvin Klein

Saturday 8.08.2026

How to watch

This lecture starts on 8 August at 5:00pm (UK).

Summary

Sons of dirt poor immigrants, each had a unique vision coupled with sheer grit. How did they do it? Join us as we delve into the extraordinary lives and visions of these three Jewish icons. As Ralph Lauren said, ‘’I don’t design clothes, I design dreams.” Ultimately, we ask, what different identities of the American Dream and the world did they forge?

Professor David Peimer

An image of David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.