Kiki de Montparnasse | Prima Donna Muse

My alluring Prima Donna candle is inspired by the vivacious Kiki De Montparnasse, unifying muse for a generation of Parisian Dadaists and Surrealists in the 1920’s.

It is said that there was something both captivating and unknowable about Kiki, rendering her the perfect and irresistible muse. So be prepared because you are heading on a journey of intimidating beauty and a frequently unclothed body...

ALICE PERIN

Alice Ernestine Prin came into the world on October 2nd 1901 in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France. But little did everyone know that this young country-girl was later to be known as Kiki De Montparnasse; style icon and artist force in her own right.

When Kiki was just a small child, her Mother decided to leave for Paris to better her own life and leave poor Kiki behind. Instead, Kiki was left in the care of her Grandmother who was not equipped with the tools that she needed to raise a small child. Kiki and her Grandmother struggled to make ends meet and found themselves in anguishing poverty. Rats were frequent visitors to the house and the stench of rotting food attacked their senses. So, at the age of 12, Kiki decided that she would join her Mother in Paris in search of a better life.

Kiki had bright dreams of her future in Paris but the reality she faced when she arrived, was certainly more gloomy than bright. In desperate need of money, Kiki took up work in a bakery but the pay was a mere pittance and so Kiki still struggled to get by. Kiki had never been taught about money and as her parents weren’t married when Kiki was born, Kiki didn’t know her Father or even, where he was.

STREET RAT

Kiki was excited about her new modelling endeavour. For the first time in her life, she had received a little male attention and was was able to make a small living. Dolefully however, her Mother most certainly didn’t agree.

She thought that Kiki was degrading herself and that modelling was simply a way for artists to leer over young women. These clashing views escalated and soon the two were arguing constantly. Before she knew it, Kiki found herself homeless on the streets of Paris and facing poverty once more.

These new found circumstances were most certainly a set back. But Kiki was determined to find her fortune one way or another… Kiki sought refuge by living with some friends that she'd met during her short time in Paris. They would share their food with her and offered her somewhere to sleep. Kiki used her modelling experience to her advantage and set out to find new artists who might need a muse. Boy, did she find them. Before she knew it, Kiki was definitely modelling again. Only this time it was in the nude!

NOTORIOUS MONTPARNASSE

So here Kiki was, a vagrant living on the streets of Paris and stealing a nights sleep inside wherever she could. She was modelling nude in exchange for food & shelter but vibrant Kiki’s spirits were never dampened. She wore a smile regardless of her unforgiving situation and forever exuded fun & joviality. One day, when she was meandering the streets of Paris in search of new ‘breaks’, she came across Montparnasse; an area in the south of Paris on the left bank of the river Seine.

Montparnasse was like nowhere she had ever seen. It erupted with cabarets & bohemian life. The atmosphere was electric. This was the epicentre of artists, literature, absinthe & loose living in Paris and Kiki was enthralled! She embraced her new found home with fervour and before long she had made many friends. But not just any friends. For It was here that Kiki forged a friendship with a Russian painter named ‘Chaim Soutine’. Chaim Soutine took Kiki under his wing & eventually introduced Kiki to other artists in his circle. These included ‘Maurice Utrillo’ who specialised in cityscapes, poet ‘Jean Cocteau’ who was a man of many talents, ‘Fujita Tsuguharu’ a Japanese-French painter and ‘Modigliani’, an Italian-Jewish painter and sculptor.

During the year of 1918, Kiki met a French-Polish painter named ‘Maurice Mendjisky’. Very quickly, Kiki and Maurice’s friendship escalated to a passionate a love-affair. Maurice embraced Kiki as his muse and used her as his model for a series of portraits. This then opened a window for Kiki to become a muse to nearly all of the leading male avant-garde artists in France at that time. Needless to say, Kiki jumped at this chance! It is also said that it was in fact Maurice who gave Kiki her new and shorter name, ‘Kiki De Montparnasse’.

ENTER MAN RAY...

‘Man Ray’ was a revered American visual artist and photographer who spent the majority of his time in Paris. In a stroke of luck which would change Kiki’s life, she and Man Ray crossed paths one sunny day in Paris. Kiki was known for breaking the hearts of her artists. She had become used to meaningless love affairs and would discard men like last night’s supper. Little did she know that Man Ray was about to steal her heart.

Kiki (obviously) soon started modelling for Man Ray and the two set about creating memorable & exciting works of art. She appeared in his film ‘Le Retour à la raison’ which gave her an insight into the world of acting and film. Kiki quickly warmed to the idea of becoming an actress. So, with the support of Man Ray, she travelled to America solo to test out her new found talents. However, this adventure was short lived. Shortly before an audition, Kiki decided that she wanted to go shopping and well, managed to miss the whole thing!

Kiki longed for Paris and her lover Man Ray. Being apart from both of them made her realise how important the City of Love was to her… and of course her relationship too.

Once her feet were firmly on back on the streets of Paris, Kiki rid the thoughts of a film career. Instead, she decided to focus her efforts on new creative endeavours such as painting. She continued to model for Man Ray and even appeared in a few avant-garde films that he directed.