Wye Oak Lecture—Beyond Vanity: The History and Power of Hairdressing

In the nineteenth century, the complex cultural meaning of hair was not only significant, but it could also impact one’s place in society. After the Civil War, hairdressing became a growing profession, and the hair industry a mainstay of local, national, and international commerce. Based on her latest book, Beyond Vanity: The History and Power of Hairdressing, Elizabeth Block, PhD will introduce to audience members the cultural power of hair by looking at the beginnings of hairstyling, entrepreneurship, and product development in places within the United States.