On Christmas Day in 1908, a child born in London's drab suburbs was given the incredibly ordinary Christian name of Dennis Pratt. But this child knew right away that the ordinary was not for him. In due time Pratt would give himself a new name, one that befit his true persona: Quentin Crisp. Cr

Bright, Charming, Ebullient, Feminine, Queer, Solo performance, Witty

When fashion emperor Christian Dior died unexpectedly in 1957, the fashion world ground to a halt. Many wondered what would become of the legendary Dior label. Who could fill such immense shoes? Unbeknownst to many, Dior had already picked his successor: a boy-wonder named Yves Saint Laurent. Saint

Classical, Egalitarian, Elegant, Feminine, Peasant style, Quirky, Urban chic

With the advent of 16mm equipment came the birth of film as personal artistic expression, and Maya Deren led the revolution. The woman who was "her own avant-garde movement," had what can only be described as an eclectic set of interests. She immersed herself in political science, journalism, English

Avant-garde film, Death, Feminine, Feminist, Primal, Spare, Surreal

A protege of dancers Eubie Blake and Noble Sissel, 15-year-old Josephine Baker began her career on the vaudeville circuits, touring with Bessie Smith as a chorus girl. After Broadway appearances in "Shuffle Along" (1921) -- which marked the advent of the black theatrical renaissance, and "Chocolate D

Elegant, Erotic, Feminine, Harlem renaissance theater, Kinetic, Sexy, Tribal