Giraffe-Frenzy: From Medici Courts to Modern-Day Obsessions and Personal Transformations

In 1487, a mysterious creature appeared in the court of Medici in Florence, causing a sensation with its long neck and unusual behavior. The creature was believed to be a giraffe, and it amazed onlookers by bending down to take food from children and being fed by noblewomen from second-story windows. This event marked the beginning of a fascination with giraffes that would continue throughout history.

In 1827, Paris experienced a similar giraffe-mania when a female giraffe was presented to Charles X. The giraffe’s presence led to an increase in popularity of all things giraffe-related, including high-piled hairstyles and giraffe-spotted wallpaper. Some even believe that the design of the Eiffel Tower was inspired by the giraffe.

Anne Innis Dagg had a life-changing encounter with giraffes at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago at the age of two. Being small in stature, she was mesmerized by the towering giants in their enclosure. When they suddenly became frightened and galloped around with their long necks and legs in a flurry of motion, it was a beautiful sight that left a lasting impression on her. Her experience with giraffes would influence her life in profound ways.