Lois Ina Sturt was born on 25 August 1900, the daughter of Humphrey Sturt, 2nd Baron Alington, and Lady Feodorowna Yorke. Her maternal grandfather was Charles Yorke, 5th Earl of Hardwicke, and her brother was Napier Sturt, 3rd Baron Alington.

She became famous as the most painted woman of England: at just 20 years old, she had already seven portraits taken, including 4 sketches by Etienne Drian, studies in oil by Ambrose McEvoy, Olive Snell and Gerald Kelly and a self-portrait. All seven were exhibited in 1921 at the annual show of the National Portrait Gallery. She attended the Slade School of Art and scandalizing society, she opened her own art studio in Chelsea. Wyndham Lewis said she was "the most beautiful debutante of her day" and Barbara Cartland said she was "fiery, impetuous, and with dark, flashing eyes."