Photos: Wild Wolfe
One of America’s first female decorators, Elsie de Wolfe was also prewar Europe’s great party animal.
1
Bernard Boutet de Monvel’s painting of de Wolfe, 1936. Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Lady Mendl (1936), Oil on canvas, Private Collection, courtesy of Stéphane-Jacques Addade, photograph ©Jacques Pépion.
2
The sunroom at Villa Trianon, 1930s, formerly the dining terrace. ©Condé Nast.
3
Arriving at Trianon for de Wolfe’s first Circus Ball: an unidentified guest, Paul Morand, Coco Chanel, and Serge Lifar (from left). Courtesy of Roger Schall ©Jean-Frédéric Schall.
4
De Wolfe practicing yoga. Courtesy of Charlotte Moss.
5
Acrobats at de Wolfe’s 1938 Circus Ball. Courtesy of Roger Schall ©Jean-Frédéric Schall.
6
William Ranken’s painting of de Wolfe’s bedroom at Trianon, 1920s. Courtesy of Charlotte Moss.
7
Bessie Marbury and de Wolfe, “the bachelors.” Courtesy of Roger Schall ©Jean-Frédéric Schall.
8
De Wolfe, relaxing at home at Villa Trianon, Versailles, 1935. © Bettmann/Corbis.
