Brassaï, Kiki de Montparnasse, Thérèse Treize de Caro et Lily – 1932

Maybe you know her by her other titles: Kiki de Montparnasse, or simply as the Queen of Montparnasse? Fans of Man Ray will recognize her in Violon d’Ingres, but she was so much more than an artist’s model! Born Alice Ernestine Prin (born October 1901), she helped to define early 1920s Parisian culture and was a muse to many Surrealist and Dada artists, and an artist and performer in her own right.

Writing this post was very exciting for me, for, while I have studied the following photographs and paintings for years, I had no knowledge that they were all of the same woman.

Gossip followed Kiki everywhere, including the legend that she had no pubic hair, or that she could only grow it when in love, or that she shaved it off and chalked it on again when posing for artists.  - Daniel Stedman on Kiki de Montparnasse

Man Ray and Alice Prin fell in love and were companions for most of the 1920s. Alice appears in many of his most famous photographs. Her beautiful proportions and cupid’s bow lips are featured in the Noire/Blanche series with the African masks. Man Ray was instrumental in “sculpting” her image, and would instruct her to shave off her eyebrows so that he might paint them on.

Despite their intense connection, Kiki ultimately went too far for Man Ray. When a cafe-owner in Nice called her a whore, she got into a fight, and was thrown into jail: Man Ray’s lawyer could only secure her release by producing a doctor’s certificate stating that she had a nervous disorder. Soon afterwards, Man Ray left Kiki for his photographic protege, Lee Miller. He broke the news to Kiki at one of their regular cafe haunts, and was forced to duck under a table while she hurled plates at his head. - Anna Davis, The Guardian.

Kiki in a video by Man Ray:

Kiki also owned her own night club cabaret (Chez Kiki), where she would sing and dance. Rumor has it, often sans culottes!!

Painting by by Gustaw Gwozdecki, c.1920:

by Moise Kisling, 1922:
by Pablo Gargallo, bronze, 1928:
by Maurice Medjinsky, 1921:

 Julian Mandel, Girl with vase:

As a lasting legacy of sorts, Kiki De Montparnasse is a luxury lingerie and sex boutique. Specializing in extravagant lace underthings and opulent sexual accoutrements ($2,500 pearl restraints, anyone?), be sure to feast your eyes on an array of tantalizing underthings that our own Alice might have flashed during one of her dancing numbers.

Vintage lingerie makes us swoon in delight! It’s no wonder there is so much of it around nearly 100 years later: beautifully crafted, it’s delicate but strong, and it makes the wearer feel extra naughty knowing she has these secrets hiding beneath her smart dresses!

There are so many different types of underthings to consider, so hang on tight as we present this crash course in vintage lingerie!

Slips & Step Ins:

Long dressing robes for lounging around the boudoir:

Short lacy slips:

Mary Green Nouveau Retro Pink and Black Silk Teddy offered by our favorite lingerie boutique in the world, Doll House Bettie in San Francisco:

Tap Pants and Lacy Brassiere: 

Cabaret Bullet Bra by What Katie Did:

Hand crafted tap pants by Lady Jane Lingerie

Lace-topped boudoir wear:

Mary Brian in a long silk slip:

Jean Harlow in sheer lacy bedclothes:

Vintage Lingerie in advertisements:

I cannot get enough of this hat. It’s still not even that hot in Texas but I’m finding excuses to wear it. “Sixty eight degrees?! Better put my hat on!”

This is what the slips I sell on etsy look like when you lift up the hem of your dress… it’s perfect for signaling your order in a loud, crowded bar.
The Ladies’ Society for the Reinstatement of Proper Undergarments is pleased to present Doublespeak’s ultimate tool in flirtation: a coquettish vintage slip with the phrase Buy Me a Whiskey” hand-embroidered on the lacy hem. This item is perfect for the modern lady because it combines the uniqueness of vintage with the functionality of lingerie. It may be worn as an undergarment for the teasing flirt or as a simple dress for the tart. Ladies and gentlemen will melt at the sentimentality, and it’s much more tasteful than sliding one’s number on a cocktail napkin.

• Sea Urchin Spine & Pearl Earrings – made by me in 2002
• 1930s lingerie worn as blouse
• Vintage Navy pants cut off and pink buttons added (by me)
• Pink socks (American Apparel)
• White strappy sandals
• Hello Kitty Balloons – I then spent the rest of the day singing Betty Boop songs to my co-workers.
• Point of fashion: I watched Dames (1934) last night on the big screen and it was all about my favorite subject, 1930s chorus girls.
• Elodie (Gentle River Blythe) wears a teal knit dress and Rement navy Mary Janes