My Idols - Marchesa Louisa Casati
The Marchesa was infamous for her night-time strolls, naked under her elaborate furs, leading a couple of pet cheetahs on diamond-studded leashes. She was the lover of Gabriele D’Annunzio, and inspired his work throughout his life. Countless artists were fascinated by her death-like pallor, her vast, kohl-rimmed, green eyes, her vivid red hair. She transformed her numerous homes into elaborate fantasies. She spent thousands on her elaborate costumes, and her even more elaborate parties. Her dinner tables were served by footmen painted in gold leaf. It was said that she had obtained wax images of her past lovers which contained their ashes.
