This series of 4 coasters was created for versatility. It can be made to be an elegant coaster with a delicate velvet-like padding, or a wall/desk tile decoration, with a hanging hook or with a delicate wire display stand.
The closest English equivalent for Cocotte would be a courtesan. But the Cocottes were not simply mistresses; they were sophisticated and often highly educated women who cultivated a refined image, in a time when traditional gender roles were being challenged and new forms of female independence were emerging.
As a reminder of a bygone era of social and cultural change, La Belle Époque, and for celebrating the power in which these women rest today, I chose for my Cocottes Coasters collection, 4 fascinating women who represented a complex blend of freedom and constraints. I offer you a glimpse into the lives of women who defied societal expectations and carved out their own unique paths.
Emilienne d'Alençon, French comedian.
Mistinguett, French actress, singer and dancer, once the world's highest-paid female entertainer.
Cléo de Mérode, French dancer, first real celebrity icon.
Caroline Otero, aka La Belle Otero, Spanish cabaret singer and dancer.
All pictures used in this series are in the Public Domain.
