On Blondes by Joanna Pitman
In art and literature, in history and popular culture, blonde has never been a mere colour. For two-and-a-half thousand years, it has been a blazing signal in code, signifying beauty, power and status. To feed this obsession entire industries have developed, influential trends set. From Greek prostitutes mimicking the golden-haired Aphrodite, to the Californian beach babe; from pigeon-dung and saffron dyes to L'Oreal - because you're worth it - we see the lengths to which women will go to become blonde. The power and duality of the blonde as either erotic symbol or saintly virgin waxes and wanes but never disappears. By looking at the world through the prism of what it is to be blonde, or make oneself blonde, we are drawn into an intriguing portrait of the world. Why is it that blondes rose to prominence in Hollywood and Nazi Germany at the same time? Why do young Japanese women today want to be blonde? Weaving a story rich in anecdote, history and high intrigue, Joanna Pitman effortlessly combines the wealth of her knowledge with a sharp and clear-sighted view of the power of the blonde throughout the ages.
Joanna Pitman read Japanese at Cambridge University and was Tokyo correspondent for The Times from 1990-1994. She is now the photography critic for The Times. This is her first book. She lives in London with her family.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780747560760 |
| ISBN 10 | 0747560765 |
| Title | On Blondes |
| Author | Joanna Pitman |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Year published | 2003-03-03 |
| Number of pages | 304 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |