pifl

How a Jewish designer liberated us all with the clothes of the WASPy elite. A look at Ralph Lauren, via The Beatles and the Bible.

Sound clips:

• The Kinks – ‘Dedicated Follower of Fashion’
• American Ivy
• Pretty In Pink (1986)
• Very Ralph (2019)
• Caddyshack (1980)
• Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
• The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go
• Brian Epstein interview
• This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
• The Beatles – Anthology (1995)
• Malcolm McLaren interview
• Vangelis – Chariots of Fire
• The Great Gatsby (1974)
• Calvin Klein – Obsession TV ad
• Yentl (1983)
• Wayne’s World 2 (1993)
• Brooks Brothers TV ad
• The Velvet Underground – Venus In Furs
• Ralph Lauren Polo TV ad
• The Velvet Underground – All Tomorrow’s Parties
• Annie Hall (1977)
• American Gigolo (1980)
• Rowing Blazers TV ad
• Family Guy – Brian in Love (2000)
• Miles Davis – So What
• Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
• Mrs Brown (1997)
• Curb Your Enthusiasm – The 5 Wood (2004)
• Diane von Furstenberg interview
• Donna Karan interview
• South Park – Gnomes (1998)
• Lisa Birnbach interview
• David Bowie – Fashion

Reading list:

• Take Ivy (1965)
• The Official Preppy Handbook (1980)
• The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook (1982)