The subject of beauty can bring out all sorts of feelings and opinions. What is true beauty, how has it evolved, how does it vary across cultures and sexes, and how do our views change as we age? These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed in a series of talks taking place in May and June as part of Selfridges six week Beauty Project in conjunction with Intelligence Squared.
Talks include ‘Untangling the Politics of Black Hair‘ with Diane Abbott and Hannah Pool, The Pinkification of Young Girls’ with the contraversial Katie Hopkins and Guardian columnist Tanya Gold. Design expert Stephen Bayley will be giving a talk on why ugliness always trumps beauty, and in ’The Boom in Body Alteration’ Cindy Jackson, an anti-ageing expert who holds the world record for the number of cosmetic operations, will be part of a panel that discusses how far people will go to get the look that they want.
I particularly like the look of How to Look Hot at 100 (although I hate the title!) which will explore whether becoming older inevitably means becoming invisible. Speakers include:
Ari Seth Cohen the creator of Advanced Style who’s documentary will be released in the UK on 9th May.
Anne Karpf writer, sociologist and award-winning journalist. Her latest book is ‘How to Age’, which argues that we need to change our narrative on ageing and asserts that it can be an actively enriching time of immense growth
Pam Lucas joined the Ugly Models agency in 1999, at the age of 51. Now 65, she has appeared in Vogue, Sunday Times Style, The Guardian and in campaigns for Marks & Spencer and Ministry of Sound. She has also worked for Katy Perry, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Mika and Emma Bunton and appeared on the side of buses for Brent Cross shopping centre.
Jean Woods is the 76 year-old grandmother known for her cropped fringe and love of Doc Martin boots and her appearance in Fabulous Fashionistas. She says her fashion sense had been liberated and strengthened as she’s got older, and she is now much braver in her style choices.
Deborah Bull will chair the discussion and is a dancer, writer, and broadcaster and former Creative Director of the Royal Opera House. She is currently the director of Cultural Institute at King’s College London.
Tickets are likely to go fast – so book now
I really would love to go to this but I just CAN NOT bring myself to buy a ticket to something called How to Look Hot at 100. Maybe if you’re under 30 you could embrace the irony of the title but if you’ve stepped over the midcentury divide – ugh, people will think I want sex with my wrinkles…..
I agree Dinah – looking hot at 100 (or even 50) is not something ANYONE I know would aspire too – title clearly made up by a young person (or a man)!!!
Jx
For a truly horrifying insight into the subject of beauty, check out an episode of ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’!!