Alphabet I 

Here we see Erte's illustration *Alphabet I*. Erte, a Russian-born French artist, created this vibrant piece which captures the zeitgeist of the Art Deco era. Erte was at the forefront of fashion and theatrical design in Paris, and his influence extended globally through magazines like *Harper's Bazaar*. His androgynous figures challenged traditional gender norms, reflecting the changing roles of women in the early 20th century, who were pushing for suffrage and greater social freedom. The stylized, almost ethereal figure in Alphabet I, adorned with intricate details, embodies the spirit of transformation. The embellishments act as a kind of armor, a persona. The image uses both the aesthetics and the social and political themes of its time to explore identity. The female nude, the butterfly, and the letter “I” invite us to consider the multifaceted nature of self-expression, not just as a symbol of the individual but also in relation to the wider world. It is an emblem of the transformative power of fashion and art during a period of great social change.