Becoming Elizabeth Arden: The Woman Behind the Global Beauty Empire

In splendid fashion, biographer Cordery (history, Iowa State Univ.; Juliette Gordon Low: The Remarkable Founder of the Girl Scouts) offers an entertaining portrait of Elizabeth Arden, the groundbreaking American businesswoman who became a household name. Tavia Gilbert provides a lively narration of Cordery’s book, telling the compelling rags-to-riches story of how Arden, born Florence Nightingale Graham in 1881 Canada, moved to the U.S. in the early 1900s, and opened her first salon in 1910. Drawing upon her drive, creativity, and enduring belief that every woman is truly beautiful, Arden fostered an environment where cosmetics and skin care products became acceptable and sought after. Arden employed forward-thinking advertising approaches and redefined attitudes toward beauty and self-care. Her name became associated with sophistication and glamour, and she created an international business empire with elite clients from New York to London. Gilbert’s engaging voice is a perfect fit for this fascinating biography, giving insight into the details of Arden’s life and detailing her remarkable products and innovations.