Fashion designer to the stars Bella Freud lifts the lid on early love affair with Roman prince 36 years her senior
As a dedicated follower of Bella Freud‘s captivating journey, I find myself utterly enchanted by her extraordinary life experiences that seem to transcend the boundaries of conventional narratives. Born into a family of artistic progeny, yet nurtured by the unconventional love of an older man, Bella’s story is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and self-discovery.
In an unconventional twist of fate, I find myself born not only as the first but also the sole sibling to my biological mother, with two other sisters joining our family a mere three months later and through different maternal lineages. This peculiar beginning has never confined me within societal norms, instead propelling me on an extraordinary journey.
When someone inquired about how it came to be, Lucian Freud, her father, famously retorted with a query instead: “Weren’t you aware that I owned a bicycle?”
At 63 years old, Bella Freud (one of the artist’s fourteen known children) is looking back at her past, offering a captivating peek into the life of the man who taught her so many valuable lessons.
Bella’s father isn’t the person you might think; it was her mother, Bernadine, who separated from him when Bella and her sister Esther were still toddlers. Instead, Bella met an Italian man when she turned 21.
‘I fell madly in love with a man 36 years older than me,’ Bella recalls.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d put it this way: “Once upon a time, I encountered a Roman noble, notorious for his extravagant lifestyle, captivating appearance, and magnetic charisma. Admittedly, such a description doesn’t exactly paint a pleasant picture.”
However, Bella notes, Dado Ruspoli, her partner, was exceptionally kind, attentive, loving, generous, and humorous. She met him at a gathering arranged by Robert Fraser, a renowned art dealer known for his intellect. Interestingly, Fraser had been captured in photographs alongside Mick Jagger while handcuffed during a drug possession arrest in the 1960s.
During our lunch, we exchanged pleasant chit-chat, and upon my departure, I found myself a bit let down by the absence of lively interaction, as remembered by Bella.
The course of everything shifted dramatically upon her return home. Robert phoned to share that Dado had requested my contact info. That moment felt like a volcano exploding within me. Fast forward six months, and I found myself residing in Rome.
Bella signed up to learn about fashion design (or perhaps she might). Rome, you know, is a city that seems tranquil yet hides its charm – it’s all about leisure: strolling, picnics in Villa Borghese gardens, afternoon siestas; dinner, always dining out.
Instead, the extravagant lifestyle that the twice-married Ruspoli had long been accustomed to was consistently enjoyed, be it at their family palace with its grand 120-step marble staircase, their castle located about 40 miles north of Rome, their retreats in St Tropez or Capri.
‘Haven’t you ever worked?’ he was once asked. ‘No,’ replied Ruspoli. ‘I’ve never had time.’
He also observed: ‘I am a tree still full of fruit’ – and fathered his final child at 73.
In 2001, I tied the knot with James Fox, the author of White Mischief. However, we parted ways in 2017, yet we’ve managed to maintain a cordial relationship since then.
Reflecting on my past experiences, I’ve realized I’ve learned quite a bit from Dado. One memory that stands out is when I wore some of his clothes, which were no longer fitting him. From this, I gleaned valuable lessons about style and sustainability. Wearing his garments was more than just borrowing clothing; it was a lesson in reusing and appreciating fashion in a way that respects its lifespan.
“I donned a dapper, satiny yellow shirt, reminiscent of what a stylish Master might wear in a bustling Parisian nightspot. Accompanying it was a double-breasted, rust-hued satin jacket with overly large lapels.”
Might she soon pen a book detailing her own Roman love story, reminiscent of how her sister Esther portrayed their unique childhood in Hideous Kinky, which was eventually made into a movie featuring Kate Winslet?
Many friends are urging her on social media platforms to continue, while Henrietta Channon straightforwardly requests: “Keep going.”
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2024-08-10 00:19