This is an in-person only event in the British Library Knowledge Centre Pigott Theatre

A fun and innovative panel event exploring the history of cosmetics, fragrances and treatments, along with some medieval beauty tips and trials. The journalist Anita Bhagwandas will be taking part with Professor Jill Burke and curator Amber Butchart.

Come and get ready with us!

Anita Bhagwandas an award-winning  journalist  who explores beauty culture and questions the power that pretty privilege has over our lives. Her book UGLY: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards (2023, Blink) was serialised by The Guardian and Independent and featured by Vogue and Elle. She has curated, moderated and appeared on panels at Women Of The World and Stylist Live plus numerous literary festivals. She regularly hosts beauty events with global brands, and she is also a beauty columnist for The Guardian Saturday magazine and freelance Beauty Director at Condé Nast Traveller.
 
Jill Burke is a historian of the body and its visual representation, focussing on Italy and Europe 1400-1700. She is the Principal Investigator of a Royal Society funded project, 'Renaissance Goo', working with a soft matter scientist to remake Renaissance cosmetic and skincare recipes. She is the author of How to Be a Renaissance Woman (Profile Books 2023) and The Italian Renaissance Nude (2018) which was selected for Choice's 2019 Outstanding Academic Titles list. Jill also co-edited The Renaissance Nude, the catalogue for the exhibition of the same name in Los Angeles and London in 2018-19, and was on the curatorial team of this exhibition. She's talked about nudes on TV, radio and podcasts.
 
Amber Butchart is a curator, writer and broadcaster who specialises in the cultural and political history of textiles, dress and design. She researches and presents documentaries for television and radio, including the six-part series A Stitch in Time for BBC Four, and she is the history consultant for BBC One's Great British Sewing Bee. Amber’s books include The Fashion of Film, Nautical Chic, and a history of British fashion illustration for the British Library. Her latest exhibition, 'The Fabric of Democracy: Propaganda Textiles from the French Revolution to Brexit’ ran at the Fashion & Textile Museum and she is currently developing an exhibition for the Design Museum in London.

This event accompanies the British Library exhibition Medieval Women: In Their Own Words (25 October – 2 March 2025). Separate ticket for exhibition entry required. Explore the Medieval Women events series here.

Doors and bar open at 18:00. Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.

Half price tickets available for Members, Students, Under 26 and other concession groups.

@eventsBL

The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Donate today.