Photos: Wild Wolfe
One of America’s first female decorators, Elsie de Wolfe was also prewar Europe’s great party animal.
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.
The sunroom at Villa Trianon, 1930s, formerly the dining terrace. ©Condé Nast.
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.
De Wolfe practicing yoga. Courtesy of Charlotte Moss.
Acrobats at de Wolfe’s 1938 Circus Ball. Courtesy of Roger Schall ©Jean-Frédéric Schall.
William Ranken’s painting of de Wolfe’s bedroom at Trianon, 1920s. Courtesy of Charlotte Moss.
Bessie Marbury and de Wolfe, “the bachelors.” Courtesy of Roger Schall ©Jean-Frédéric Schall.
De Wolfe, relaxing at home at Villa Trianon, Versailles, 1935. © Bettmann/Corbis.