🎙 INTERVIEW: Pushing Boundaries and Writing for Change with Award-Winning Journalist and Author of ‘Ugly’ Anita Bhagwandas
** This is a LIVE interview with journalist and author Anita Bhagwandas about the craft of writing and reality of building a writing career. Attendees will be sent a recording after the interview. **
Anita Bhagwandas has made a name for herself by creating thought-provoking journalism. She has spent the last decade climbing the ranks of the biggest fashion titles in the UK, including Marie Claire, Women’s Health, and most recently, Stylist where she held the roles of Beauty Director and Acting Features Director.
Her latest work is her groundbreaking book Ugly, where she unpacks the origins of unrealistic beauty standards, how they’ve evolved, and the systems that keep them alive. Drawing on her own experiences growing up with internal struggles about her appearance, Anita explores how beauty rituals can become obsessions and why breaking free from these norms is a revolutionary act.
In this interview, we’ll talk to Anita about her journey as a writer, how she constructs articles and passion pieces, and her experience of crafting her nonfiction book Ugly. We’ll also discuss her career as a speaker and broadcaster advocating for change.
We’ll explore:
How she has forged a career as a sought-after speaker
Her approach to writing memoirs and cultural commentary with authenticity and impact
Advice on creating authentic content for our writer ‘brands’
About Anita Bhagwandas
Anita Bhagwandas is a celebrated journalist and an authoritative voice in beauty culture, challenging norms through her multifaceted career. Anita's insightful approach is evident across her endeavors. Her book, UGLY: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards (published by Bonnier in the UK and Mango in the US), marries personal memoir with cultural analysis, gaining serialization (published in sections over time) and acclaim for its exploration of beauty norms.
As a beauty columnist for The Guardian’s Saturday magazine and freelance Beauty Director at Condé Nast Traveller, she showcases her deep understanding of beauty and wellness. Her contributions to Vogue, Elle, Allure, i-D, Evening Standard, Glamour, The Telegraph, and many more, further illustrate her journalistic versatility and expertise, underpinned by over 25 awards and nominations.
Anita is a seasoned speaker, adept at curating (organizing and leading) and moderating discussions on significant topics like appearance bias and inclusivity at leading events. Her broadcasting talent shines through as a guest on numerous podcasts and BBC’s Woman’s Hour, BBC Asian Network, as well as live stints as a beauty expert on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch, demonstrating a relaxed and engaging style.
In consultancy, Anita's 15+ years as a beauty editor, with previous roles at Stylist, Marie Claire, and Women’s Health, and as a diversity and inclusion expert, has enabled her to work with trend forecasting agencies like The Future Laboratory. She also provides valuable guidance to brands as diverse as Dove, Klarna, John Lewis, Carvela, and Estée Lauder Companies on connecting with diverse communities and creating innovative brand strategies.
Your London Writers' Salon Hosts:
Parul Bavishi and Matt Trinetti are the co-founders of the London Writers' Salon, creators of the webby-nominated Writers' Hour daily writing sessions, and hosts of the London Writers' Salon podcast.
Parul Bavishi has been an editor for over a decade. In addition to running LWS she helps thriller, YA and non-fiction writers level up their craft and get published. She writes and edits for the Story Grid. She has worked as an editor and literary scout at Random House, Quercus & Eccles Fisher. She analyses TV hit shows (Killing Eve, Ozark, Game of Thrones) on the Story Grid Showrunners Podcast.
Matt Trinetti is a writer, publisher, TEDx speaker, and facilitator. In addition to running LWS, Matt designs programs to help unfulfilled professionals pursue creative work, start businesses, and reinvent their careers. Matt's work has appeared in Quartz, Observer, Creative Mornings, and on his blog GiveLiveExplore.
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