One of the most famous Mexican painters, Frida Kahlo, left a mark on the world with her art, expression of political views, and vibrant personality when she passed away in 1954. But not everybody knows that she also left her unique collection of clothes, which were revealed to the public once again after being locked away for almost 50 years.
Frida's husband, Diego Rivera, was left with an impressive wardrobe of his wife, which he decided to seal in the bathroom of their Mexico City home, and ordered to keep them hidden away until 15 years after his death. He passed away soon after in 1957, but Kahlo's belongings were left locked until 2004 when the museum decided to catalog its content.
The photographer who got the privilege to immortalize over 300 of Frida's wardrobe items was the renowned Japanese photographer Ishiuchi Miyako, who did the job using only a 35mm Nikon camera and a natural light.
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Kahlo’s Earrings
Prosthetic Leg
Kahlo’s leg was amputated in 1953. She designed this prosthetic leg with embroidered red lace-up boots and a bell attached.
Classic Cats-Eye Glasses
Kahlo’s Outfits
Kahlo’s friends noted that the more pain she felt, and the more incapacitated she became, the more elaborate her outfits were.
As a chronic pain sufferer, I can confirm that this is a great coping strategy. If I feel like c**p I dress to the nines. It actually helps!
Traditional Tehuana Dress
Kahlo’s right leg was thinner than her left after childhood polio – and it was later fractured in 11 places when she had a horrific bus accident in her 20s. As a result, she wore long, traditional Tehuana dresses that concealed her lower body.
Kahlo’s Fringed Boots
Kahlo’s Knit Swimsuit In Mint Green
I know that Lycra didn't exist until 1959, but I would think swimming in cotton knit swimwear would be rather uncomfortable.
Frida’s Cast Corset
After her bus accident, Kahlo was in a full body cast for three months, and she remained in pain for the rest of her life. She painted her casts and corsets, turning them from medical equipment into artworks
A Skirt Of Green Silk And Lace Attached To A Body Corset
Frida’s Cast Corset
Skirt Fabric
Portable Ashtray
Kahlo’s Nail Polish
Kahlo’s Gloves
A Comb Still Covered With Strands Of The Artist’s Hair
Tehuana Lacy Headdress
Kahlo’s Scarf
Technically it's not a scarf it's called rebozo it is more similar to a chal.... a traditional piece of clothing made by artisans in a loom (can be a blackstrap loom or a colonial loom)
Kahlo’s Outfits
Kahlo’s Stockings
Bottle Of Perfume
Kahlo’s Vest
It probably helped her pain. Constriction can help support and keep the pain from getting too intense. I know from experience
One Of The Corsets Worn By Kahlo
An Old Black T-shirt
Somebody needs to make a coffee table book of these items and add in some of her artwork.
The movie "Frida." Reasonably accurate, and it seemed to capture her spirit. My fashion sense was inspired by that movie.
frida khalo niece said that salma hayek never contact the family to know how frida khalo was or how really frida and her husband be come to live in twin houses in mexico city. the movie is fiction .
Load More Replies...Wish there was more to see...she clearly loved swallows, lace and the colour red!
You should visit her home/studio in Coyoacan (south Mexico City). It was inspirational to me.
Load More Replies...Somebody needs to make a coffee table book of these items and add in some of her artwork.
The movie "Frida." Reasonably accurate, and it seemed to capture her spirit. My fashion sense was inspired by that movie.
frida khalo niece said that salma hayek never contact the family to know how frida khalo was or how really frida and her husband be come to live in twin houses in mexico city. the movie is fiction .
Load More Replies...Wish there was more to see...she clearly loved swallows, lace and the colour red!
You should visit her home/studio in Coyoacan (south Mexico City). It was inspirational to me.
Load More Replies...