About the Archive
We’re on a mission to build the world’s largest living collection of beauty culture.
The MECCA Archive is a growing collection of beauty’s defining cultural moments – and as such, it contains stories and imagery that span generations, identities and lived experiences. This is just the beginning - by it’s nature the Archive is unfinished and we invite our community to help us to fill in the missing pieces of history with your stories and reflections.
Some of the content within this Archive may reference topics that are emotionally complex or personally triggering, including:
- Body image and disordered eating
- Racial or gender-based discrimination
- Cultural appropriation
- Beauty-related trauma or exclusion
- Historical depictions that reflect outdated or harmful ideals
We include these materials not to sensationalise or glorify them, but to preserve an honest record and to create space for reflection, healing and change.
If you need to pause, protect your energy or step away, please do. Your wellbeing comes first.
First Nations peoples are advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons, which may cause sadness or distress, particularly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the cultural significance of sharing these materials and have sought guidance and permissions where appropriate. If as a First Nations person, you review these materials and find cultural concerns, please let our team know.
The views expressed in individual contributions in this Archive are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of MECCA. We’re building this Archive together not to erase or amend what came before, but to understand it, challenge it and shape what comes next. We encourage respectful discussion and debate.
Our hope is that the Archive offers new perspectives and ultimately optimism, revealing both the challenges women and girls have faced and the extraordinary progress we've made, together.