The ballerina and singer Zizi Jeanmaire died on July 17 at the age of 96. Focus on his life of hard work and glitter. Renée Marcelle Jeanmaire was born in 1924 in Paris. Fascinated by the stage from an early age, she chose to register at the Paris Opera. It was there that she met Roland Petit who, later, became her husband. After joining various ballets, the young Parisian reached the rank of prima ballerina. She begins to assert herself, chooses the nickname Zizi and cuts her hair to the boy. Her career took off when she played the role of Carmen around the world. She will then be spotted by a producer and she will appear in Hollywood films as well as in musicals on Broadway. In the 60s, Zizi became an icon thanks to his famous song Mon truc en plumes. She became, following this, an emblematic figure of the French Music Hall. Even after her world tour of dance, the young woman kept her Parisian titi accent and still enjoyed it every day. 
Rolland Petit: A passionate love story
Zizi has known Rolland Petit since the Paris Opera School. He is the grandson of Rose Repetto, the creator of the eponymous dance slipper brand. He choreographs many ballets for Zizi and it is even he who is at the origin of his androgynous cut. In an interview, he explained the strong bond they had with life and the stage.
"I am very influenced by Zizi and if I influence her, she influences me too. That's why it's worked very well for a very long time."
After a separation, they reunited and married on Christmas Eve 1954. He was the man of her life until death separated them. Indeed, Rolland Petit died in 2011. Their story was based on a common passion, dance, but also on an unfailing love. The two respected each other, inspired each other and thanks to this, they made each other evolve. 
Yves Saint Laurent: A haute couture friendship
"It was enough for him to enter the scene for everything to come to life, fire and flames"
The two friends met in 1956, in the workshops of the house of Dior. She became Yves Saint Laurent's muse. She inspires him, he made her shine. Thanks to Zizi, he had to reinvent his way of drawing to adapt it to the unique style of the music hall. When she triumphs with her famous Truc en plumes, she wears a Saint Laurent creation. The designer loved adorning it with rhinestones, feathers and sequins. You can also find on the website of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum the collection of sketches drawn for Zizi. The France has lost a dance icon. This woman knew how to impose herself and conquer the world, while attributing a style of her own. Tell us in comments that they are the women who inspire you the most.
