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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#1 Kahlo’s Earrings
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#2 Prosthetic Leg
Kahlo’s leg was amputated in 1953. She designed this prosthetic leg with embroidered red lace-up boots and a bell attached.
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#3 Classic Cats-Eye Glasses
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#4 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.
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#5 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.
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#6 Kahlo’s Fringed Boots
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#7 Kahlo’s Knit Swimsuit In Mint Green
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#8 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
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#9 A Skirt Of Green Silk And Lace Attached To A Body Corset
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#10 Frida’s Cast Corset
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#11 Skirt Fabric
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#12 Portable Ashtray
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#13 Kahlo’s Nail Polish
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#14 Kahlo’s Gloves
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#15 A Comb Still Covered With Strands Of The Artist’s Hair
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#16 Tehuana Lacy Headdress
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#17 Kahlo’s Scarf
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#18 Kahlo’s Outfits
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#19 Kahlo’s Stockings
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#20 Bottle Of Perfume
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#21 Kahlo’s Vest
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#22 One Of The Corsets Worn By Kahlo
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
#23 An Old Black T-shirt
Image source: Ishiuchi Miyako
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