Charm Offensive

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A01=Kelly Ricciardi Colvin
Age Group_Uncategorized
Age Group_Uncategorized
Air France
air hostess
Author_Kelly Ricciardi Colvin
automatic-update
Brigitte Bardot
Category1=Non-Fiction
Category=HBLW3
Category=HBTW
Category=JBSF
Category=JBSF3
Category=JFSJ
Category=JFSJ5
Category=NHTW
COP=Canada
Delivery_Delivery within 10-20 working days
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
Europe
French history
French tourism
gender
hostess fashions
Language_English
Olympic hostess
PA=Available
postwar France
Price_€50 to €100
PS=Active
romantic
soft power
softlaunch
stewardess
women’ s history

Product details

  • ISBN 9781487508364
  • Weight: 440g
  • Dimensions: 159 x 235mm
  • Publication Date: 04 Apr 2023
  • Publisher: University of Toronto Press
  • Publication City/Country: CA
  • Product Form: Hardback
  • Language: English
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In the aftermath of the Second World War, the French government cultivated images of sensual and sophisticated white French women in an attempt to reestablish its global image as a great nation. They promoted the beauty, sexual appeal, and general allure of French women, all while shrinking the boundaries of what was considered beautiful.

Charm Offensive explores how this elevation of French femininity created problems on both sides of the equation: the pressure on French women to conform to an exacting physical standard was immense, while the inability of anyone else to access that standard resulted in a sense of failure. Drawing on cultural figures like Air France hostesses, tourism workers, and celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot, Charm Offensive offers an innovative understanding of a tumultuous time of decolonization.

Kelly Ricciardi Colvin is an assistant professor of history at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

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