Extravagant and theatrical, an art enthusiast and jet-set queen, Luisa Casati Stampa tied her life to the Blue Island, specifically to Villa San Michele, where she lived in the 1920s. Her existence intertwined with the worlds of fashion, art, and luxury, making her a style icon and a symbol of the hedonism and creativity of the Belle Époque and the roaring twenties.
Who was she?
Born in 1881 in Milan, Luisa Adele Rosa Maria came from a wealthy family. She was the daughter of Alberto Amman, a successful industrialist of Austro-German descent, and Lucia Bressi, heiress to a vast fortune. Orphaned at a young age, Luisa inherited an immense fortune, making her one of the richest women in Italy. She gained further fame and wealth through her marriage to Marchese Camillo Casati Stampa, from whom she acquired her noble title and had a daughter, Cristina. However, the marriage was not a happy one. A free-spirited and rebellious woman, Luisa clashed with her conventional and rigid husband, leading to an early separation, although they never divorced.
Muse & It-Girl of the last century
Her flamboyant lifestyle and eccentric appearance became even more pronounced after her separation. With fiery red hair, feathered accessories, and bold black eye makeup paired with haute couture clothing, she created a distinctive persona. At the time, Marchesa Casati resided in Venice at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, a haven for artists, writers, and intellectuals like Giovanni Boldini, Man Ray, and Kees van Dongen. Her home—now the Peggy Guggenheim Collection—hosted spectacular parties where she would appear with exotic animals, such as leopards on leashes or snakes draped around her neck, transforming herself into a living work of art. Legend has it that Cartier’s famous panther motif was inspired by her.
From Venice to Capri
Although the stories of the Marchesa Casati’s life often focus on Venice and Paris, her time in Capri was equally noteworthy. She chose Villa San Michele as her retreat, the former home of Axel Munthe, who had relocated to Torre Materita due to health reasons. The villa became the social hub of the eccentric marchesa, who, in her youth, had been the muse and lover of writer Gabriele D’Annunzio. In Capri, she enjoyed attending the parties of Jacques d’Adelswärd Fersen at Villa Lysis, which reportedly often devolved into orgies. Casati also radically transformed Munthe’s house, decorating it in her own style and populating the garden with hunting leopards, greyhounds, golden gazelles, and an owl. A single inscription remains as a testament to her presence: “Oser Vouloir Savoir Se Taire” (Dare, Desire, Know, Be Silent). Her excesses, however, made her an unwelcome guest in Munthe’s eyes.
Her final years
Casati’s lavish spending quickly depleted her fortune. Her lifestyle included extravagant travels, art commissions, elaborate clothing, and jewelry. By the 1930s, her finances collapsed, forcing her to sell many of her properties, including Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. Reduced to poverty, she spent her final years in London, living modestly and wearing second-hand clothes. Despite her hardships, she maintained her theatrical demeanor and charm. She died on June 1, 1957, leaving behind a legend of beauty, eccentricity, and extravagance.
