Emma is a historian of the early twentieth century, particularly focusing on the interwar period.  She is fascinated by social, material and cultural history, and explores retail, fashion and consumerism.  She completed her PhD in 2024.

Current Projects and Roles

Researching and writing biography of former Vogue editor and life-long journalist, Alison Settle.

Collaborating with the London Transport Museum on their poster exhibition celebrating the centenary of the Paris Exhibition of Decorative Arts. 

Treasurer of the Art Deco Society UK

Freelance writer

Qualifications and Experience

PhD University of Essex (2024) “For the Masses not the Classes”: The Development of Rayon as a Mass Consumer Good in Interwar Britain (https://repository.essex.ac.uk/38445/)

She has given talks for The Art Deco Society UK, the Stephen Perse Foundation and the University of Essex, and has written articles for History Extra and Textile History, as well as contributing to the Art Deco Society blog. Her research has been included in The Times

Emma volunteered at the Saffron Walden Museum, where she co-curated a fashion accessories exhibition.  She also worked at a Sotheby’s associated auction house, photographing historic coins and medals for their catalogues, and designing and creating their publicity. 

Emma is represented by Past Preservers, and can be found on X, BSky and LinkedIn.

Dr. Emma bastin

Historian of the Twentieth Century