"I want to be a living work of art"

Marchesa Luisa Casati uttered these words in regards to her outrageous fashion sense. She caught every eye of her public. She was rumored to walk two cheetahs on a leash, and wear snakes around her limbs as jewelry. She almost died from an electric shock due to a wardrobe malfunction, when there happened a short in the circuit of her literally electric outfit. The Marchesa was born into luxury in Milan, and died in London in poverty. Though her extremity was probably due to a personality disorder and large amounts of opium, she remains to this day a muse to designers. I believe that the inspiration surrounding The Marchesa is due to her impeccable understanding of what fashion is. It is a "living work of art". I think mass production and trend following has drained this idea and every bit of art from the purpose of fashion. Anyway, she has a really great style. A few of these photos were taken by renown Man Ray who was equally inspired.