When Mulain thinks about La Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881-1957) he gets goose-bumps all over. I know she is gone from this world, but how she lived for the first three decades of the twentieth century, you would n't believe people. She triumphed as the brightest star in European society, not a mean feat my dears.....she is possibly the most artistically represented woman in history after the Virgin Mary and Cleopatra, the portraits, sculptures and photographs of her would fill a gallery. In her day she, accompanied by her pet boa constrictor, checked into the Ritz Hotel in Paris where it escaped. Her parties and appearances at others became legendary whirling through Parisian, Italian, London nightlife, making an unforgettable impression on all she met. Picasso, Elsa Schiaparelli, Cecil Beaton, Coco Chanel to name but a few, were in awe. And you can see why with nude servants gilded in gold leaf attending her, bizarre wax mannequins sat as guests at her dining table, some of them even rumoured to contain the ashes of past lovers. She wore live snakes as jewellery and was infamous for her evening strolls, naked beneath her furs whilst parading cheetahs on diamond-studded leashes. Everywhere she went, she set trends, inspired genius and astounded even the most jaded members of the international aristocracy. Without question, the Marchesa Casati was the most scandalous woman of her day and Mulain just loo-ves her! Mwah! Oh to have partied with her and just watched!
Born quite plain apparently - she grew to an amazing 6ft, dyed her hair Titian red and wore kohl heavily around her eyes as her trademark. This incredibly, unimaginable creature wanted to be 'a living art work'....and that's how she lived her life. Eat your heart out Paris Hilton, Lady Gaga this woman is irreplacable I think.....amazingly bold, a blazing creative light for many around her....Man Ray, Vivien Leigh, Chanel, Italian Futurists......what a life!
LA based make-up artist Napoleon Perdis has even dedicated his latest make-up range to her La Divine Marchesa.....Mulain has not tried these products as yet just loves the idea of it. Wunderbar! See link below.....
http://www.napoleonperdis.com/products/site/divine-marchesa.cfm
http://www.napoleonperdis.com/products/site/divine-marchesa.cfm
Anyone out there know of a better, more amazing muse? Please let me know....
Mulain x
Visit www.marchesacasati.com for more - or read the new book, The Marchesa Casati: Portraits of a Muse by Scot D. Ryersson and Michael Orlando Yaccarino.
ReplyDeleteThank you my darling I most certainly will...could quite easily become obsessed.....
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