Erte

This Russian artist was born Romain de Tirtoff and liked to call himself Erté after the French pronunciation of his initials. He was one of the foremost fashion and stage designers of the early 20th century. Destined for a military career, Erté surprised a number of people by creating his first successful costume design and the age of five. In 1912, at the age of 19, his father finally allowed him to move to Paris to fulfill his dream of becoming a fashion illustrator. Erté is perhaps best remembered for the gloriously extravagant costumes and stage sets that he designed which vividly reflect his taste for the exotic and romantic.