The story of Hortense Mancini was one I stumbled across by happy accident, and once I had fallen down the rabbit hole, I was obsessed with her,
just as it seems, so many others were during her lifetime.

Born O R T E N S I A Mancini, in Rome, Italy 1646, Hortense’s life was one of constant movement, extravagance and rebellion.
By the time of her death in 1699, Hortense’s name was known throughout Europe, and with this collection TheDESCENDED reimagines her story, bringing it too light once again.