Virginia Nicholson

Virginia Nicholson, a social historian and author, dives into her latest work, exploring the evolving ideals of female beauty from 1860 to 1960. She discusses the troubling ties between beauty standards and the eugenics movement, as well as how clothing choices became expressions of identity and rebellion against societal norms. Nicholson highlights the empowerment found in movements like the Women's League of Health and Beauty and the role of suffragettes in shaping fashion as a claim for rights. The conversation reveals how historical pressures continue to influence contemporary body image.