Democratizing Looks: Race, Class, and the Politics of Feminine Beauty in Early Twentieth Century United States

• In Event: Beauty Politics: Identity, Femininity, and Ideology

Abstract

Examining the two most popular images of the New Woman in early 20th century U.S.–
the Gibson Girl and the Flapper— this paper analyzes how class and racial notions influenced the gender constructions of female beauty ideals, and how working-class and women of color took advantage of the availability of mass culture to make claims for inclusion. By looking at the complex ways in which women’s appearance became intertwined with questions of power, independence, and freedom, this paper shows how beauty served as a realm where definitions and boundaries of class, gender, and race were negotiated and redefined.

Presenter

• Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, Case Western Reserve University