Ilise S. Carter                                                                                                                                  Email: ilise.s.carter@gmail.com                    

Phone: (917) 520-2502

Summary: As an author, journalist, and copy consultant, Ilise S. Carter is dedicated to finding new and innovative lenses for viewing American history, consumer culture, and women’s narratives.

 

Education

BA – American Studies

Barnard College

 

Certificate – NYU-SCPS

Film Production

 

Publications

Allure                                                                                     

AV Club                                                         

The Atlantic                                                         

Bust

Esquire                                                                                 

Extra Crispy

i-D

Mental Floss

New York Times

Oprah

Racked

Refinery 29

Rolling Stone

Salon

Shondaland.com

Vice

Wall Street Journal

Washington Post

 

Books

When We Spoke to the Dead: How the Occult Became Pop Culture, Sourcebooks, 2025.

·       This nonfiction book will explore how once forbidden practices entered the cultural mainstream during the Victorian era through the near-ubiquitous practice of spiritualism.

 

The Red Menace: How Lipstick Changed the Face of American History, Hardcover: Prometheus, November 15, 2021; Audiobook: Blackstone, December 6, 2022.

·   Starred review Publishers Weekly.

·   “…(O)ne of the most fascinating fashion history books I've ever read (and as a Firstfinds trend expert, I've read many).”  - Sarah Maberry, Harper’s Bazaar

·   Featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Fat Mascara and Racked podcasts, WGN News, Erin Parsons’ TikTok, and more.

 

Notable Articles

 

·   Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Makeup Routine Reflects the Enduring Power of Lipstick, Washington Post, August 24, 2020.

·   Strike a Pose (but Be Ready to Sweat), New York Times, July 25, 2018.

·       Joan Crawford and Her Enduring Style Influence, Allure, March 20, 2017.

·       Beneath the Frills at Ruffle Con, Racked, October 28, 2015.

·       American Horror Story: Freak Show versus American History, AV Club, October 22, 2014.