Dr Anna Nyburg of Imperial’s Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication will launch her book on the contributions of Jewish refugees to the British fashion industry at Waterstones, Clapham Junction.

The Clothes on our Backs: How Refugees from Nazism Revitalised the British Fashion Trade, published by Vallentine Mitchell, tells the unknown stories of Jews in the clothing industry who sought asylum in Britain when the Nazis came to power in the 1930s.

Dr Nyburg’s book tells of the recruitment of refugee clothiers to British companies and the influence they had over the industry: the technology, practices, and designs – including the twinset, the beret, the Pringle sweater and more.

The launch event will include a presentation from the author and question and answer session. This will be followed by drinks, an opportunity to buy a copy of the book and book signing.