Aqua Tofana
Aqua Tofana

Illustration

Aqua Tofana

"Aqua Tofana” portrays the poison that Guilia Tofana and her daughter concocted to sell to would-be widows, some with abusive husbands. The poison was marketed as a cosmetic to avoid suspicion. Containing arsenic, lead and belladonna, it was a... More

Belle of the West
Belle of the West

Illustration

Belle of the West

"Belle of the West” depicts Belle Starr, aka Queen of Outlaws from 18th century Missouri. While leading her life of crime, she wore a floor length, black velvet riding habit with a large black plume in her hat. She also was a crack shot and wore... More

Carlota and Firmina
Carlota and Firmina

Illustration

Carlota and Firmina

"Carlota and Firmina” depicts two enslaved women who assisted in what would become known as the 1843 slave rebellion at the Triumvirato sugar mill. They helped devise the plot and spread information through talking drum. Firmina was caught and... More

Ching Shih
Ching Shih

Illustration

Ching Shih

"Ching Shih” pictures the 17th century Chinese prostitute turned pirate who at her peak, led a fleet of 800 large ships and commanded a crew of over 70 000. She had several unusual rules such as anyone giving their own orders was instantly... More

Flowers, Stones
Flowers, Stones

Illustration

Flowers, Stones

"Flowers, Stones” pictures the Somalian legend of Queen Arawelo from 15 ce. She was fed up with the men ruling the community who were lazy, violent, and trouble making. The story says that she led a protest to make men do the housework, castrated... More

Quenched Thirst
Quenched Thirst

Illustration

Quenched Thirst

"Quenched Thirst” represents Queen Tomyris, who ruled the Massagetae, an Iranian people from central Asia. It is said that she killed Cyrus the Great when he bested her troops by leaving behind a camp filled with wine (something that they barely... More

Ruth's Last Runway
Ruth's Last Runway

Illustration

Ruth's Last Runway

“Ruth’s Last Runway” portrays the last woman to be hanged in the UK, nightclub owner and hostess Ruth Ellis. She committed the crime of shooting her abusive and alcoholic husband. Showing up to court, she kept a beautifully maintained appearance.... More

The Bandit Queen
The Bandit Queen

Illustration

The Bandit Queen

"The Bandit Queen” shows Phoolan Devi, was married at 11 to an unknown man in exchange for a cow, pushed to commit suicide once she left him at 12, and became a fierce bandit queen who supported the lower castes of India. She is known for... More

The Gilded Warrior
The Gilded Warrior

Illustration

The Gilded Warrior

"The Gilded Warrior” portrays the legendary Ba Trieu, a 3rd century Vietnamese 19 year old who escaped into the mountain forests of the Thanh Hóa Province to sharpen her combat skills against the Chinese occupiers. She raised an army of 1000 people... More

Toregene and Fatima
Toregene and Fatima

Illustration

Toregene and Fatima

"Toregene and Fatima” represents the life story of Toregene Khatun. She was taken and gifted as a wife to Ögedei, one of Genghis Khan’s sons, after he conquered her village. She gave birth to 5 sons, and when her incompetent and alcoholic husband... More

Work by

Caroline Icardo

“"Bad Grrls" is a series of infamous historical women portrayed through a contemporary fashion lens to tell their stories and reclaim their power.”