Cleo de Merod is a popular Parisian dancer in the 19th century. She became one of the prominent figures of French culture. Her memory is still alive. Cleo de Merod's talent is spoken of as a gift from above.
The fragile feminine nature with a completely masculine character has remained popular even after years. Cleopatra Diane de Merod had a difficult fate.
The road to the dance of Olympus
She was born in Paris. The biography of the famous dancer began in 1875, on September 27 in the family of the Austrian landscape painter Karl Freicherr de Merod. About a swift and stellar career, the girl dreamed of since childhood. Often Cleo sang the tunes she liked, accompanying them with rhythmic movements. Noticing the daughter’s hobby, the parents sent the baby to a ballet school.
By the age of eleven, Cleo easily demonstrated professionalism. A successful creative career began. A huge role in the fate of the genius dancer was given to the features of her structure. De Merod, according to the memoirs of his contemporaries, was surprisingly miniature and thin.
The girl was very different from the stereotypes of beauty accepted at that time. However, she found her audience quickly. Since the start of training, the eyes of teachers and fans have turned to a fragile girl of small stature. Everyone was struck by her amazing plasticity, grace and lightness.
Cleo looked more like fairy elves than an ordinary person. During the speeches, all eyes were turned only to her. From the age of thirteen she performed in "Choryhee", one of the most prestigious metropolitan performances in France. The role has become a turning point.
New star
The girl was noticed. Like many beginning ballerinas, Cleo did not offer the services of makeup artists and stylists in preparation for performances. The actress did everything herself. Particular attention was paid to hairstyle. The dancer gathered long luxurious hair in a ponytail, twisted on the back of her head, slightly weakening the curls in front.
The result was an original bando with light curls that completely cover the ears and a straight parting in front. This option has turned into a brand. Cleo was recognized by him. Many stylists adopted the “Cleo de Merod style bando”, the hairstyle was as popular as its inventor.
The dancer received recognition after performing in 1900 at the Paris World Exhibition. She demonstrated "Cambodian dances." Later, de Merod performed at the Foley-Berger, a famous country. Her tours took place in Berlin, Budapest, a star visited New York and St. Petersburg. At twenty-three, the beauty was invited to Bordeaux. Cleo's popularity has grown to gigantic proportions.
During a performance in the form of Frina, the dancer attracted the attention of the Belgian monarch Leopold the Second. The king appreciated the refined beauty. Miniature Cleo really liked the arrogant fan. Only for her sake did the monarch invent reasons for visits to Paris. Leopold even contrived to refer to the need to develop certain agreements with the French government regarding African colonial interests.
On one of the visits, the king arrived at Cleo, handing her a magnificent bouquet personally. From that moment, rumors about a stormy romance started. The French made fun of the monarch’s infatuation, calling him Cleopold. An aging lovelace was greatly flattered by such fame. Only Cleo was not at all happy with such information. She refuted by all means the presence of this alleged connection.
A flurry of rumors swept through Paris that the monarch even intended to abdicate, that he would marry the famous ballerina. Confirmation of information was not found, but did not subside.
