The Future Face of Beauty: Explore the Future of Beauty: Science, Innovation, Identity and Ethics.
Join us at London College of Fashion, East Bank, Stratford—a groundbreaking space designed for collaboration, creativity, and innovation—for a symposium dedicated to exploring the evolving role of beauty in society.
This unique event brings together key voices from across academia and industry, including keynote speakers Professor Philippa Diedrich, Professor Paul Matts, and Sharmadean Reid MBE, who will frame the day with keynote addresses that shape the conversations to follow.
With a programme spanning panel discussions, interactive workshops and presentations of academic research, we’ll delve into timely topics such as The Social Purpose of Beauty, Age Well, and Digital Self. With insights from industry-led campaigns, emerging student work and collaborative projects, the symposium aims to reflect the future of beauty at the intersection of academia and real-world practice.
Throughout the day, complimentary tea, coffee, lunch, and drinks will be provided, creating plenty of space for relaxed networking and meaningful conversation. The event will conclude with a collective reflection session—an open forum to share insights, connect with speakers and explore future opportunities for collaboration.
This event is open to students, academics, industry professionals, and businesses. It promises a vibrant and thought-provoking experience at the cutting edge of beauty and innovation.
Key notespeaker bios:
Paul Matts
Paul joined The Procter & Gamble Company in 1988 as a PhD Biochemist and spent the majority of his 36-year career leading various aspects of Skin Research, working across most of the Company's Operating Units (as he maintains that all of them touch human skin in some way!). He retired from P&G as R&D Vice President in 2024 although remains Visiting Professor to the UAL London College of Fashion and is a past Visiting Professor to the UCL School of Pharmacy. Of particular relevance to this presentation, he has spent almost 20 years partnering with Dr Bernhard Fink to study ageing facial skin within an Evolutionary Psychology framework. In his spare time, he re-applies his skin biology expertise to resource-poor settings and, in 2012, co-founded an NGO in Ethiopia to help the 1.5 million sufferers of Podoconiosis (non-filarial, lower-leg lymphoedema).
Sharmadean Reid
Sharmadean Reid MBE is an award winning founder, writer and creative consultant who in her 20 year career has launched an experiential salon, a beauty software company and now a media platform. Her work explores women’s power, equity and ownership. She is currently working on a beauty brand, her second book and a scripted TV show about female founders. In 2015 Sharmadean was awarded an MBE from HRH Queen Elizabeth. Her first book, New Methods For Women is published in June 2024 by Penguin Random House.
Professor Phillippa Diedrichs
Professor Phillippa Diedrichs, PhD, is an internationally recognised expert in body image, appearance diversity, and academic–industry partnerships. She is a Professor of Psychology at the Centre for Appearance Research and Founder of EVERYBODY Consulting, an agency working at the intersection of science, creativity and social change. Phillippa collaborates with scientists, brands, businesses and governments to develop award-winning, evidence-based research and campaigns that reach millions and challenge narrow beauty ideals. She co-created Dove’s game-changing Project #ShowUs and Face of 10 campaigns, as well as their recent Body Confident Sport partnership with Nike. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, and Harvard Business School teaching cases. A passionate advocate for women, girls and gender diverse people, she also advises industry
Visitor Information
Address: London College of Fashion, 105 Carpenters Road, London, E20 2AR.
How to find us: https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion/about-lcf/find-us
Video on how to get here from Stratford tube on the stories highlights on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcfculture/
