Model Codie Young celebrates ‘Misia Sert’, a Polish pianist who hosted an artistic salon in Paris and became a legend among famous creatives from Debussy and Sergi Diaghilev to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Sert was also a patron and friend of many artists, for whom she served as muse and artistic subject. With a tumultuous romantic, married life equal only to her father’s, Misia Sert was also the good friend of couturiere Coco Chanel.

The two were introduced via Cécile Sorel in 1917. Sert provided Chanel with tremendous emotional support following the death of her lover, Arthur Capel in his 1918 car accident. Sert is said to have loved Chanel for “Her genius, lethal wit, sarcasm and maniacal destructiveness, which intrigued and appalled everyone.” via

It’s said that Misia Sert survived Hitler’s occupation of Europe without compromising her principles and her friends — unlike some famous personalities and fashion houses of the time.

Photographer Giampaolo Sgura brings Misia Sert to live in the October issue of Vogue Germany, with styling by Christiane Arp./ Hair by James Rowe; makeup by Jessica Nedza