Loie Fuller, or Marie Louise Fuller, was born in Chicago in 1862. Loie was a dancer and an actress, and started her theatrical acting as young girl in vaudeville and circus performances.
She is best known for the “serpentine dance,” her own creation. A dance where she would cascade long silk fabric around bamboo sticks, and as she danced as if she were in a snake like trance, different multi-colored lightings she created herself would illuminate her movements. This dance is recreated by Taylor’s dancers during Dress.
Many other artists, specifically in America, were attracted to this new style of dancing and would often imitate and steal the dance style. In order to receive proper recognition, Fuller held many patents for her designs, lighting, and she fought to get a patent for her serpentine dance, which was denied until the mid 20th century.
This pioneer or the arts helped other dancers and artists rise to fame and protect their works throughout her career. She spent her life with her partner, Miss Gabrielle Bloch. She passed away in 1928 from pneumonia.
Unfortunately this absolutely talented and amazing woman who broke barriers is widely forgotten by the public, so to have @taylorswift dedicate a performance every night of her massive stadium tour to Loie is just beautiful.
admit it, we’ve all fantasised about slow-dancing in the kitchen barefoot in our pyjamas at 2am in the arms of someone we love while old romantic jazz songs play softly on the radio
