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British Blonde: Women, Desire and the Image in Post-War Britain
In the 1950s the American ideal of the glamourous blonde swept into a war-torn Britain, where it was transformed into something uniquely British – Marilyn Monroe became Diana Dors.
Join author Lynda Nead for a look at the ways in which post-war British class, social aspiration and desire shaped images of women, through a discussion of four iconic British blondes: the quintessential blonde bombshell, Diana Dors; Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain; Barbara Windsor, star of the Carry On films; and the Pop artist, Pauline Boty.
The talk explores topics elaborated in Nead’s new book, British Blonde: Women, Desire and the Image in Post-War Britain, which will be for sale and signing on the night.
Due to urgent lift repairs there will be no step free access to the Lecture Theatre for this event. Please contact membershipevents@vam.ac.uk to discuss alternatives before purchasing a ticket.
The talk explores topics elaborated in Nead’s new book, British Blonde: Women, Desire and the Image in Post-War Britain, which will be for sale and signing on the night.
Due to urgent lift repairs there will be no step free access to the Lecture Theatre for this event. Please contact membershipevents@vam.ac.uk to discuss alternatives before purchasing a ticket.
Header image: Michael Seymour, Pauline Boty, 1962, R-type colour print, 26 x 38.5 cm. National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG x88193). © Michael Seymour