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Hair History & Styling

Research resources for the study and styling of hair.

Photographs

Digital Ads and Magazines

 

Digital Access to Magazines

The library also provides digital access to full-page scans (images included) of many major fashion and lifestyle magazines. While it's arguably harder to "browse" for content in most digital databases, good keywords can help you find what you're looking for right away (e.g., bangs, Twiggy, powdered hair, etc.). In LibrarySearch and individual databases, you can also limit search results by date if you're looking for fashion from a specific time period.

Physical Materials in the Library

The library collects several major fashion and lifestyle magazines useful for historical reference and inspiration. Most magazine material is located on the 2nd floor. Latest issues will be in the 1st floor browsing area behind the stairs. We've listed only a few titles below — You'll find a lot more content when you browse stacks in the library. You can also search by title here.

Woman's Home Companion April 1950 Good Housekeeping, February 1965 Esquire cover, John Lennon Ebony cover, March 1987

 

Books

Books and ebooks can provide a more in-depth look at a topic, place, design style, or historical moment. You can search our digital and in-library collections simultaneously by title, author, subject, or keyword via LibrarySearch. Click Advanced Search for additional search criteria (like material type, language, year, etc.).

PRO TIP

Materials in the library are organized by subject. Browsing the shelves of the library in-person can help you discover new work, materials, inspiration, and connections. Listed below are general call number ranges for hair history, hair styling, beauty, and a few art and portraiture sections we discussed in class:

 

  • GT495-499 - Human body and its parts; Personal beauty
  • N - Arts
  • ND - Painting
  • NX and TR - Photography
  • ND1300-1337 - Painting -- Portraits
  • PN2067-2068 - Theatrical costume and makeup design
  • TT950-979 - Hairdressing; Beauty culture; Barbers' work