Elizabeth Wessel, artist and fashion designer retraces the Fantasies of the Orient of the beginning of the XXth century through a series of major High Society personalities.

 

The Marquis Boni de Castellane, Countess Greffulhe, Count Etienne de Beaumont, Marquise Luisa Casati and the exotic Prince of Patiala elevated orientalism and japanism to the most sophisticated Art de Vivre.

 

Certain interpreted the movement through creations of oriental inspiration imagined by their Couturiers or by subtle touches of decoration in their homes. Others indulged in outrageous exotic costumes worn for the occasion of the Persian Balls that were the rage during the Belle Epoque, such as the renowned “Ball of the Thousand and second night” orchestrated by the couturier Paul Poiret. Others dressed their daily life with the shine of sultans such as the fantastic and whimsical Luisa Casati who did not hesitate in receiving her guests in the most extravagant attire escorted by her felines on leash.

 

Through 10 paintings, Elizabeth Wessel shows at what point these Oriental Fantasies have survived going through fashion until the brutal ending of the of Belle Epoque era due to the Great War…

 

Japanism and Orientalism reappeared even more vivaciously after the end of the First World War. They prospered, evolved and bloomed during the Art Deco movement, splendor of the Thirties.