pipins | bijinlicious

For the Fashion Teller “Femme Fatale” contest, I chose this beautiful “Constance” pink gown from PIPINS to play out my character as the infamous Parisian courtesan of the 19th century – Cora Pearl. A courtesan is someone who attends to court of a monarch or of someone in power. In those times, it was customary for people to marry to preserve bloodlines or to secure political alliances. So it was customary for those to seek companionship in a courtesan.

A courtesan was trained to be an intellectual and skilled at conversation in art, music, and politics. They were often were also skilled artists or performers. It was usually their wit, beauty, intelligence, and companionship that sets them apart from the average women. In exchange, these women received status and luxuries.

Born as Emma Elizabeth Crouch in 1835, when she moved to Paris from London she changed her name to Cora Pearl when she embarked on a theatrical career. From there she met some of the wealthiest and powerful men in France. She used her beauty and wit to get what she wanted. She lived an adventurous life met short by tragedy. Even though she lived on the fast lane, with no apologies or regrets, she died very young in 1886. Cora Pearl was a fine example of a Femme Fatale back in her heyday.