To those not overly acquainted with the worlds of art and fashion - and to some of those who are how well do we really know Mexican artist and feminist icon Frida Kahlo, she of the exotic face and flamboyant fashion, endlessly replicated across plates, T-shirts, and tote bags in every global museum and gallery gift shop? After all, no lesser mortal than Madonna, 21st-century reinvention of Frida, owns six of Kahlo's works, and sings aspirational lyrics such as "If I were a painter, I'd be Frida Kahlo". Yet by invoking Frida's legacy, the 60-year-old Madonna might also be appealing for a slice of Kahlo's youth. The Mexican painter died comparatively young (she was 47) and, much like actors James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, enshrined her legacy as an ageless cultural icon in the public domain. Why then, in Mexico, do locals call Frida Kahlo "the heroine of pain"?
Kahlo's physical misfortune dictated the course of her life, and art. Born in Mexico in 1907, she developed poliomyelitis by the age of six, her right leg atrophied and her foot stopped growing. At 18, she was involved in an horrific traffic accident; her spinal column and pelvis were broken in three places; she broke her collarbone and two ribs; her right leg, the one deformed by polio, fractured in 11 places, and her right foot was dislocated and crushed. She was hospitalised for a month and went on to have more than 30 operations in her lifetime.
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Prestige Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Prestige Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE ART OF THE GRAIN
Awarded the title of Master Blender for the fifth year in a row, Stephanie McLeod's meteoric success in the whisky industry has opened doors for women keen to study the art of the grain.
VIEW BEYOND THE RACES
For Richard Mille, life in the fast lane is more than just performance-driven machines, it's a profound appreciation for excellence in various forms.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Discover the driving forces behind Bulgari's success with Regional Managing Director Jeffrey Hang, as he shares his perspectives on the brand's philosophy and direction.
CHRONO CHRONICLES
In this month's watch world round-up, we take a closer look at some slender watchmaking, pop culture phenomena, and a new dial on an old favourite.
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
With Master Perfumer Aurelien Guichard in the driver's seat for the Burberry Hero Parfum and Adam Driver as the face, how can the scent be anything but memorable?
DANCING TO HER OWN TUNE
Ballerina Marion Barbeau perfectly distills the elegance of Roger Vivier's latest collection.
A MIGHTY ROAR
PRESTIGE gets up close and person with artist Jacky Tsai on his recent collaboration with Shanghai Tang, Auspicious Dragon, merging modern style with Chinese heritage, celebrating art and fashion.
SUMMER CODED
Get inspired by these diverse array of trends, with these latest fashion picks for April and rejuvenate your wardrobe.
THE BEAT GOES ON
Face of the Malaysian music scene in the '90s, Dato' Sheila Majid, shares her memories as Queen of Jazz-as her daughter, Kayda Aziz, steps out of the shadow into her own limelight.
BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL
An extremely rare flower lies at the heart of Clarins' most luxurious and restorative face cream to date, promising a complexion that's softer, firmer, and more luminous.