Hello, I'm Carl Raymond, the host of the Gilded Gentleman History podcast, where every two weeks we delve into corners light and dark of America's

Gilded Age, France's Bel-Ipac, and England's late Victorian and Edwardian eras.

When we think of the glamour and richness as aspects of the Gilded age so often the conversation turns to fashion.

Stunning dresses from the greatest designers in fashion houses of Paris, including Worth and Duce,

found their way into the grandest balls and most elegant dinners of this opulent age.

Gounds and their accompanying jewels were one thing, of course,

but there was another extremely important element of any gilded age look,

whether at a grand event or receiving guests in one's own drawing room,

and that was how you wore your hair.

Hairdressing and hairstyles all communicated as much about your

social position as the actual clothes you were wearing. And how hair was kept, dressed, and styled

evolved dramatically like so much else throughout the 19th century. Hair became another mechanism for social messaging,

but it also represented a way for women to assert their agency, whether in the styles they chose,

or for some daring entrepreneurial spirits, it allowed them to create a life of financial stability

and independence.

Joining me to untangle, so to speak, the story of hairdressing and hairstyles in the gilded age and throughout the 19th century is returning guest and listener-favorite

Dr. Elizabeth L. Block, the author of the recently published book Beyond Vanity,

The History and Power of Hairdressing, published by MIT Press.

Liz's new book continues to receive top publicity and has been covered by Forbes, Town and Country,

and the New York Post, just to name a few.

Liz has joined me for two previous episodes of the Gilded Gentleman,

Gilded Age French fashion, the House of Worth and Beyond,

...