Beauty: It’s a Shady Business

14 Sep 2019

Join us for a close-up discussion featuring Candice Carty Williams, and chaired by radio presenter Clara Amfo, on beauty, from self-expression and the performance of identity, to purely the skin deep.

‘She did what girls generally do when they don’t feel the part: she dressed it instead,’ said Zadie Smith in her 2005 novel, On Beauty.

In a time of an expanding palette of make-up shades and black-owned beauty brands, what do the highlights and contours of our faces say about those of our being? How do we navigate skin bleaching, fetishisation and colourism?

From the full coverage-flawless to the natural and near-naked: what does it mean to be best face forward?

Starting her radio carer at KISS FM and BBC Radio 1XTRA, Clara Amfo is best known for her 10am – 1pm BBC Radio 1 show. It’s world famous Live Lounge slot has seen her interview the world’s most prolific artists, including Jay-Z, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams. A keen writer, Clara is also a contributing editor to Elle UK.

A lover of film and TV, Clara has also provided coverage for The BRIT Awards, BAFTA, Glastonbury and Top of the Pops, as well as hosting the premieres for Baby Driver, Aladdin, Black Panther and Disney’s recent remake of The Lion King.

This event is presented in association with Indaba X.

More Lambeth Listings MORE

Lambeth Monday 15 - Saturday 27 July

Housemates Returns: Before I Go

Follow Ajani, a young boy who tragically dies and gets stuck in limbo and forced to undergo overcoming…

Lambeth Thursday 18 June - Sunday 8 September

Suzie Larke: Unseen

Logic-defying work by photographer Suzie Larke, who returns to our site with new images raising awareness and sparking…

Lambeth Wednesday 24 - Sunday 28 July

Afrique en Cirque

Roll up, roll up for an indescribable display of acrobatics, artistry and Afro-jazz rhythms in a joyous circus…

Lambeth Saturday 3 August

Hidden Histories & Archives

Inspired by Tavares Strachan’s exhibition, a panel of writers, curators and artists, chaired by Lisa Anderson, discuss bringing…

Lambeth Friday 23 August

Kinetika Bloco Summer Showcase

Join us for a joyful, energetic spectacle of young people dancing and playing steel pans, brass, woodwind and…

Lambeth Thursday 12 Septenebr

Diane Abbott: A Woman Like Me

Diane Abbott, who made history as Britain’s first Black woman MP, talks to Afua Hirsch about her new…