Elizabeth L. Block, an art historian, is a Senior Editor in the Publications and Editorial Department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Dr. Block earned her PhD in art history at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, with a focus on 19th-century U.S. painting. She also holds an MA in American Studies from Columbia University, and a BA in English from The George Washington University. Dr. Block’s book Beyond Vanity: The History and Power of Hairdressing, will be published by MIT Press in September 2024.

This conversation explores the history and power of hairdressing, focusing on the United States from the 1860s to 1900, the focal point of her new book. We discuss the stigma surrounding the hairdressing profession, its history, and the importance of recognizing its long legacy in our culture.

Preorder her book here!

I hope you enjoy!

– Clint