A Dress of Violet Taffeta Published by Berkley Books by Tessa Arlen
on July 5, 2022
Genres: Couture, Fashion, Historical
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC, Paperback
Find the Author: Website, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
ISBN: 0593436857
Rating:
A sumptuous novel based on the fascinating true story of Belle Epoque icon Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon, a woman determined to shatter the boundaries of the fashion world and support herself and her young daughter with her magnificent designs.
Lucy Duff Gordon knows she is talented. She sees color, light, fabric, and texture in ways few other people do. But is the world ready for her? A world dominated by men who would try to control her and use her art for their own gain?
After being deserted by her wealthy husband, Lucy is desperate to survive. She turns to her one true talent to make a living. As a little girl, the dresses she made for her dolls were the envy of her group of playmates. Now, she uses her courageous innovations in Belle Époque fashion to support her own little girl. Lucile knows it is an uphill battle, and a single woman is not supposed to succeed on her own, but she refuses to give up. She will claim her place in the fashion world; failure simply is not an option.
Then, on a frigid night in 1912, Lucy’s life changes once more, when she becomes one of 706 people to survive the sinking of the Titanic. She could never have imagined the effects the disaster would have on her career, her marriage to her second husband, and her legacy. But no matter what life throws at her, Lucile will live on as a trailblazing and fearless fashion icon, never letting go of what she worked so hard to earn. This is her story.
I have been enjoying historical fiction just so much lately. And this book was the cherry on top!
Lucy Duff Gordon is abandoned by her wealthy husband. Again. Only this time he doesn’t come back. At a time when divorce was not socially as acceptable, she does it anyway.
On top of that, she becomes a dressmaker–and not just any dresses. She makes beautiful dresses that wealthy ladies salivate over. The kind of dresses dreams are made of.
This story was based upon the real-life story of of Lady Duff Gordon, who was a true gem of her time.
Filled with vivid imagery of the beautiful designs, a peek into what life was like for women in the early 20th century, and one of my favorite parts–Lucy finds love after being abandoned.
This book captivated me from page one. I loved it! I loved being transported and shown Lucy’s dresses in a way that only a skilled author could accomplish with words.
About Tessa Arlen
Tessa Arlen writes historical fiction when she is not toiling away in her garden. She is
the author of the Edwardian mystery series: Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson; the
Woman of World War II mystery series. Poppy Redfern. And two standalone historical
novels: In Royal Service to the Queen, and A Dress of Violet Taffeta.
Thanks foe sharing your thoughts, Christine. Lucy was such a trailblazer of fashion and for women who wanted to be businesswomen in her time and now. The descriptions of the dresses was sumptuous. I always enjoy Arlen’s writing and look forward to her next novel.
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