The Beauty Chronicles

Beauty Chronicles

Meredith Jones is a professor of Gender Studies who loves popular culture. In the Beauty Chronicles she discusses all sorts of fascinating things to do with cosmetic surgery, media, popular culture, celebrity, and much more. So if you're confused by the Kardashians, or baffled by botox, this is the place to be.

  1. FEB 21

    Barbie meets Frankenstein

    An anonymous reviewer of Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights wrote that the gothic masterpiece was filled with “vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors” (Graham’s Magazine, 1848). This episode is darker than some others we've made. It includes discussions about the book’s depictions of abuse, degradation, and sadism. We review the latest film adaptation, by Emerald Fennell, and discuss whitewashing, colour-blind casting, vibe filmmaking, class issues, sex scenes, and jewellery made of hair.

    54 min

  2. 2025-07-13

    Too Tall to Tame: From Taylor Swift to Brienne of Tarth

    Goddesses, giantesses, 50-foot women. In this episode we look at what it means for women to be tall, extra tall, and enormous. From sexual fetishes to Taylor Swift videos; From platform shoes to girls prescribed oestrogen to stunt their growth. Joining us are special guests Brienne of Tarth, Ice Spice, and Her Royal Highness Princess Diana.

    57 min

  3. 2025-04-04

    Sheer Genius or Barely There? Bianca Censori and the Art of Nylon

    In this episode Carla and Meredith take a dive deep into the mysteries of Bianca Censori, otherwise known as the wife of Ye. What does her nudity mean, and why are people so keen to see her as a victim? We discuss her dildo pants, her silence, and  what she owes to the genius feminist sculptor Louise Bourgeois. Bianca's "Nylons" line of jewellery: https://issuu.com/bcensori/docs/nylons_look_book_2013_issuuThat Grammys moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jta6UbnJ9v8 LouiseBourgeois: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/louise-bourgeois_n_6251564Sarah Lucas: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/sarah-lucasPolly Borland: https://awarewomenartists.com/en/artiste/polly-borland/Shirin Fakhim: https://www.saatchigallery.com/artist/shirin_fakhimJulia Fox: https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/66276/1/julia-fox-wore-her-hair-and-not-much-else-at-the-oscars-after-partyMary Magdalen: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Folio-211v-Birago-St-Mary-M.jpg

    1 hr

  4. 2025-01-02

    Forever Face: The Beautiful Life of Jocelyn Wildenstein

    Her face was like no other. Until it was suddenly like many others. In this podcast we trace Jocelyn Wildenstein's life and cosmetic surgery. Recorded just before her death, Meredith and Carla uncover the power, the sexism, the glamour, and the hatred around this iconic figure. Mini Timeline of (some of) Jocelyn's many faces Original 1997 New York Magazine cover Jocelyn's 2021 version of the New York Magazine cover Tiago Azevedoart Anastasia

    48 min

  5. 2024-11-04

    Cartoon Bloodbath: Monstro Elisasue and The Substance

    What is there to love about the monster in The Substance? In this episode we talk about cosmetic surgery, body horror, mother-daughter relationships, Demi Moore, and how bums have replaced boobs in our cultural imaginaries. Warning: spoilers and disgusting descriptions.

    1h 2m

  6. 2024-04-09

    To Handbag or not To Handbag

    Handbags are powerful, sexual, and even magical. In this episode we delve deep into their secret languages and histories. We discuss their physical and symbolic qualities, with Miley Cyrus, Lizzo, and the nameless, unhoused "bag lady" helping us along, and we talk about famous handbags like Margaret Thatcher's black Launer, which influenced the phrase "to Handbag."  See also Meredith's article: "Holding and Being Held: Handbags as Container Technologies"

    48 min

  7. 2024-01-31

    Saltburn: Slurp it Up!

    Meredith and Carla are back after a long hiatus to discuss the movie Saltburn: its ugly sounds, disgusting pottery, and grotesque sexiness. Along the way they argue and laugh about misophonia, eyelid real estate, what "posh" is, Barry Keoghan's penis, and Skorts. Send emails confirming Oxford tutorial methodology to beautychroniclespod@gmail.com Skorts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skort Bernard Palissy pottery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Palissy

    52 min

  8. 2023-09-27

    Ghost in the Glitterati: Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala

    In this episode Carla and Meredith talk about what the Met Gala is and why it's important, and ALL of Kim's outfits(!) but especially the meanings behind that blacker-than-black one from 2021.  References:  - Wissinger, E. (2015). This year's model: Fashion, media, and the making of glamour. NY:NYU Press.- Wissinger, E. (2016). Glamour labour in the Age of Kardashian. Critical Studies in Fashion & Beauty, 7(2), 141-152.

    1h 2m
See All (13)

About

Meredith Jones is a professor of Gender Studies who loves popular culture. In the Beauty Chronicles she discusses all sorts of fascinating things to do with cosmetic surgery, media, popular culture, celebrity, and much more. So if you're confused by the Kardashians, or baffled by botox, this is the place to be.

Information

  • Creator
    Beauty Chronicles
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Beauty Chronicles
  • Show Website
    The Beauty Chronicles

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