A Tale of Two Edies

There's a woman I visit almost every time I go to New York City. Most people know her as Mrs. I. N. Phelps Stokes and she hangs on the wall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In her 1897 portrait by John Singer Sargent, Edith Minturn Phelps Stokes stands confidently, returning the viewer's gaze with a lifted chin and an inviting smile. With her fashion-forward attire and her strong demeanor, she is every inch the new independent woman of her age.






While most people are probably not familiar with Edith Minturn Phelps Stokes, the name of her great-niece may ring a bell-- Edith Minturn Sedgwick, Edie for short.



In the 1960's Edie Sedgwick became a fixture at Andy Warhol's Factory. Appearing in several Warhol films, she soon became the "It" girl of the art and fashion scene. Her signature style-- short hair, dramatic make-up, large earrings, and a sweater combined with tights-- was quickly copied by avant garde fashionistas. On film, she exudes a nervous energy and vulnerability that perhaps hints at her troubled mental state. Sedgwick died of an overdose in 1971 at the age of 28.



On Edith Minturn Phelps Stokes:

Shirt: Le Grenier du Chateau Bicycle Suit
Skirt: ~~Ivalde~~ Arielle White Dress
Shoes: Bax Ankle Boots (Le Look group gift)
Hat: Le Grenier du Chateau Straw Boater Hat
Hair: ETD Tiana in Black
Skin:T U L I Jade tone 2 makeup 5c

On Edith Minturn Sedgwick:

Shirt: Emery Stripped Tee
Tights: GLAM Tintable Metallic Lycra Tights
Shoes: Periquita Funny Girl Flats in Black
Earrings: {JUNK} onyx inlay
Bracelets: Dark Mouse Vintage Nouveau bangle
Hair: TRUTH Peta in Snow
Lashes: [Glow] studio Innocent eyelashes in intensive (for The Dressing Room)
Skin: Curio Gala Petal Winter Coal 2

John Singer Sargent's portrait:
Edie Sedgwick in Warhol's Poor Little Rich Girl: