After a BA in Classics (University of Cambridge) and then two years working in theatre wardrobe, Helen did her MA at the Courtauld Institute of Art in History of Dress (2008/9).  She was the joint holder of the CHODA bursary, and wrote her MA dissertation on the dress of female Alpinists c.1838–1914. She worked on the exhibition Enfance en Blanc at the Musée du Textile, Cholet.

Her current research is on individual relationships with dress in the late nineteenth century, looking at Henry Irving (actor–manager), Max Beerbohm (dandy and social commentator) and Francis Younghusband (soldier and explorer). She also teaches Critical Studies at the University for the Creative Arts, Epsom.

Dr Christine Guth