

Mariette became a friend to the transgender community almost by accident. In her book, Transformation she describes it
this way:
In New Orleans, 1978, on the last day of Mardi Gras, I went to my hotel dining room for breakfast and was confronted by a roomful of figures in long sequined dresses, butterfly eyelashes, and cascading hairpieces. After breakfast, as if on que, the group lined up around a hotel swimming pool, striking poses. I looked through my camera lens. Each of them was forced in a different direction, except for one person wearing a green lame dress who looked back at me, calmly and directly. It was as if I was seeing into someone’s soul unencumbered by masculinity or femininity as if in covering her male anatomy with a beautiful dress, her full humanity was present…. I entered the world of Vicky West.
Through Vicky, I became aware of the full spectrum of the transgendered world…. I witnessed the sensual, artistic, exhibitionistic elements of dressing: The pleasure Vicky experienced in creating her look, in expressing herself, in being admired and in leaving behind, however temporarily, the responsibilities and burdens of Kurt’s world.
I do not think anyone
has captured the essence of our community any better than Mariette Pathy Allen. Thank you for being there for us and capturing
our souls in such an artistic, beautiful and loving manner.
"Line-up, Mardi Gras, New Orleans 1978
The moment I started on my exploration." - Mariette Pathy Allen
The moment I started on my exploration." - Mariette Pathy Allen
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