Novice - Wanted Dead or Alive: London's Most Glamorous (1925)

Committee Profile

Glitz, glamor, and a life of crime! Wanted Dead or Alive: London’s Most Glamorous explores the underhanded operations of the Forty Elephants, an all-women crime syndicate based in the south east of London during the early 1900s. Skilled in thievery and petty theft, their shoplifting prowess helped the gang amass a large amount of wealth. Additionally, the Forty Elephants were adept at evading law enforcement, allowing them to build a major criminal empire. 

The committee will be a meeting of the Forty Elephants members, set in 1925 amidst the chaos created by the Lambeth Riot. During the Lambeth Riot, the syndicate’s “queen” Alice Diamond had led a violent attack against one of the gang members and her husband, who had disobeyed Diamond’s orders. Consequently, Diamond was arrested and incarcerated, leaving the gang without a leader. As members of the Forty Elephants, delegates will contend with the power vacuum left in the wake of Diamond’s arrest. With Diamond gone, some gang members will want to enact reform in creating a new power structure, while others will want to preserve the existing status quo. Delegates will also grapple with external conflicts, as they seek to maintain and expand their criminal empire amidst feuds with rival gangs. The emergence of new shops and businesses in the area will provide the perfect setting for inter-gang competition, as the groups battle for the new territory. The Forty Elephants must emerge victorious from these disputes in order to preserve the facade of unity and maintain their notorious reputation. Delegates must settle existing rivalries and strive for internal stability, or else they will risk losing their historic criminal empire forever. 

Chair Letter

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to BruinMUN 32! My name is Isabella Torriani (she/her) and I’m very excited to be your Chair for Wanted Dead or Alive: London’s Most Glamorous.

To introduce myself, I’m a third-year Neuroscience and Political Science double major from San Diego, California. From having my Walter White moments in the chemistry labs to conducting constitutional research on the Philippines, my time here at UCLA has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Outside of academics, I play piano and flute in my downtime, enjoy Parts Unknown reruns, and am a massive fan of all things David Bowie. I have always loved crisis, CDing at BruinMUN 31 and LAMUN XIX, and I am so excited to be your chair! 

But enough about me! London’s Most Glamorous features an incredibly unique committee backdrop, combining organized crime elements with fascinating interpersonal dynamics, high-stakes political tensions, and a plethora of novel mechanics for delegates to enjoy. In this committee, the Forty Elephants gang will overcome rivalries (or more likely, start them) in a chance to become legend on the London crime scene. I want to encourage each and every one of you to bring your passion, creativity, and wit to this committee. Embrace the allocations you'll be representing, challenge the status quo, and let your diplomatic brilliance shine. If you ever have questions, need guidance, or simply want to share your favorite Bowie song, don't hesitate to reach out.

I look forward to seeing how you work together to reconcile your rivalry across committees, and of course, how you immerse yourselves in the dangerous yet glamorous world of the Forty Elephants. Remember, everybody is guilty– the only crime is getting caught. 

Best of luck,

Isabella Torriani | Chair, London | BruinMUN 32

london@bruinmun.org

CD Letter

Dear delegates,

Hello! My name is Katie Adamick (she/her) and I am a third year student majoring in Psychology and History. I’m so excited to be your Crisis Director for this committee! 

In addition to being a member of UCLA Model UN, I’m also involved in psychology-focused organizations, including The Undergraduate Psychology Society and the Psi Chi Research Committee. I’m also passionate about community service and volunteering as a member of Bruin Belles Service Association. After graduation, I hope to attend law school, but my ever-changing aspirations for the future may also lead me to graduate school for history or psychology. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, reading, knitting, and going to the beach!

My Model UN journey began during my sophomore year of high school, when I joined my school’s club as an opportunity to improve my public speaking skills. Since then, I’ve greatly enjoyed both the immense academic growth and the wonderful sense of community that I have found in Model UN. I greatly value the diverse and collaborative environment that Model UN fosters, providing delegates with a special opportunity to work together and create innovative solutions to both modern and historical issues. I discovered my love for crisis committees last academic year, during which I served as a crisis staffer for the Mauryan Empire crisis committee at BruinMUN 2023 and the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy crisis committee at LAMUN XIX! 

As a history enthusiast, I’m excited to explore a unique corner of 1920s London society: the Forty Elephants. This all-women crime syndicate was notorious for their strict organization, efficiency, and skill in evading law enforcement. In the wake of the 1925 Lambeth Riots, I am intrigued to see how the committee contends with internal conflicts and a violent power vacuum, amidst efforts to expand the criminal empire. 

I look forward to meeting you all at BruinMUN and I can’t wait to see your wonderful ideas bring this committee to life! 

Best regards,

Katie Adamick | Crisis Director, London | BruinMUN 32

london@bruinmun.org