The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester is a multiple time line story of three generations of exceptionally strong women in the world of fashion with a mystery. A heart wrenching story of the Bricard women trying overcome the barriers in the fashion world dominated and managed by men.

Lester’s incredible research, and superb blending of fact and fiction, made all three of the Bricard women truly unforgettable. Mizza Bricard, the only main character based on an actual person, was famous for being Christian Dior's muse. Mizza, birth name Germaine Louise Neustadt, with many other names as time and circumstances warranted, was never acknowledged in her time for her design contributions to fashion. Mizza’s daughter Astrid and granddaughter Blythe, the other two main characters, were blended into the story so artfully by Lester one could not tell that they were fictional.

Beautifully told, Lester pulled me into this must read story from page one, as she took on issues that are unfortunately still happening to this day. The ending is an emotional roller coaster and yes I cried. Highly recommend The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, truly one not to be missed.

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the opportunity read and review an advance copy of this wonderful book. I was under no obligation whatsoever to write a favorable review and all opinions are my own.

A really great exploration of the world of fashion and women's place in it, told in great detail in a multi-generation multi-timeline story, executed expertly.

In the world of fashion, there are designers and muses, assistants and seamstresses. Then, once in a generation, there’s a woman like Astrid Bricard.

The daughter of the notorious Mizza Bricard, muse to the Christian Dior, Astrid has fought long and hard to shed her mother’s fame and be perceived as her own woman of worth. That is not easy when you aim to wow the very same industry that used and exploited your mother. Known for her lack of panties and excess of lovers, Mizza inspired entire lines of couture, but she was remembered much more for being a party girl who turned away from expectations and upended society’s predestined role for her as a woman in the arts.

Astrid is aware that Mizza's journey was not an easy one, but she’s more consumed by the ways in which her mother’s legacy has overshadowed her own journey. From the teasing gazes of men who ask if she inherited Mizza's hatred of undergarments to her classmates at the Fashion Institute of Technology, who remain convinced that Astrid was admitted with a prestigious scholarship because of her mother’s reputation and not her own talent, everyone seems set on underestimating her. Luckily for Astrid, their opinions only push her to work harder and design memorable, glamorous dresses the likes of which the fashion world has never seen before. And then she meets Hawk.

A fashion student wunderkind, Hawk is famous for doing the one thing that every FIT professor warns their students against doing: leaving school and immediately opening his own studio, rather than aiming for an internship with one of the top designers or (heaven forbid) a lesser known designer. Hawk is charming and swoon-worthy, but more than that, he believes in Astrid. Despite her no-nonsense approach to school and love, the two quickly hit it off. Their passion is one that they’re keen to ignore, but it attracts the eye like a sculptural dress or feather boa.

One night, while Astrid is wearing one of Hawk’s most controversial, revealing designs, the two are captured on camera dancing on a table, and history is made. Their photo is everything the 1970s is: flashy, heady and glamorous, and it becomes indicative of an era in the same way that the Rolling Stones or Fleetwood Mac are. As their partnership soars, they are invited to the 1973 Battle of Versailles, a competition between American and French designers to determine who will earn their country the title of “fashion capital of the world.” But rather than presenting her white column dress, Astrid disappears, leaving nothing but her final creation, smeared with crimson blood.

In present day, Blythe Bricard is nearing the end of her rope. Her recent divorce has left her spent, financially and emotionally. Although she has always dreamed of designing ecofriendly clothing, she instead has found herself costuming popular television shows. With the reputations of her grandmother and mother looming over her, Blythe can see why the papers and magazines call her a disappointment to her family name, even as they constantly seek her out for revelations about her mother and what she thinks really happened that night. Rumors of a drug deal gone wrong, a competition with a fellow classmate and even a staged disappearance have hounded Blythe for years. But wherever she went, Blythe knows only one thing: Astrid Bricard didn’t care enough about her daughter to stay, and that’s enough to forget her forever.

That is, until Blythe is approached with the deal of a lifetime. A prominent fashion dealer is interested in reviving Astrid’s sole fashion line, and they want Blythe to head the project. This would mean merging her designs with those of her mother and reminding the world of Astrid’s talent. But her mother’s legacy is painful, and growing up under the mantle of her panty-less grandmother and short-skirted mother has positioned Blythe right in the middle of a whole lot of misogyny. Sex --- and her like or dislike of it --- has been all anyone thinks about when they meet the heir to the Bricard name, and she’s hesitant to hitch her wagon to a publicity gimmick.

But the money is alluring, as is the chance to do something for herself. When she learns that a relative has been studying Astrid’s disappearance and has discovered certain holes in the story, it becomes obvious that it is time to set the record straight once and for all --- both to save the Bricard name and to put Astrid’s mystery to rest…and maybe claim something for herself at the same time.

Natasha Lester has penned a spellbinding, captivating mystery that is both a sartorial adventure through the ages and a scathing critique of misogyny and how it confines and oppresses women. While Mizza is based on a real historical figure, Astrid and Blythe are Lester’s own creations, and the story truly soars with their plotlines.

Lester is a keen observer of each era she writes, weaving in everything from the politics to the fashion. Her characters absolutely leap off the page, each of them wielding dressmaker shears and a needle. A deft, stylish writer, Lester is able to trace the tumultuous highs and lows of her characters in a way that is as graceful as it is informative. Each of them are completely fleshed out and defined by their settings, making this story instantly immersive and atmospheric.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ASTRID BRICARD is, shamefully, my first Natasha Lester book, but rest assured that I’ll be ordering her backlist as soon as this review is done.

I enjoyed learning about the three Bricard women - Blythe, Astrid and Mizza, all forces in their own right.

Blythe feels like she has been in the shadow of Astrid (her mother) and Mizza (her grandmother) her whole life. She is now an adult, divorced from her very absent husband Jack and mother to two.
She had her own dreams of designing but gave those up to raise her kids. She and her kids arrive at a fancy French chateau for a three week vacation with her ex-husband and his family.

Astrid had been ready to make her way in the fashion world in 1970. She meets Hawk Jones, and she becomes his lover and his muse. Astrid was a talented designer, but a photo of her partly naked in a short silver lamé dress with Hank is all over the papers and that overshadows everything. Both Hawk and Astrid end up invited to a fashion competition, The Battle of Versailles where American designers and French will compete against each other. And there is where Astrid disappears.

This book takes us through the lives of all three Bicard women. . And we follow as they mystery of Astrid's disappearance is finally solved.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It seems like so many novels lately are in the same style as #daisyjonesandthesix or #thesevenhusbandsofevelynhugo but I liked that this one took a real person (Mizza Bricard) and weaved a story around her. The love story of Astrid Bricard and Hawk Jones is beautifully written and I could not put the book down during those sections. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book that was recently published. 📚📚📚 #netgalleyarc #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreview #my2024readingproject #thedisappearanceofastridbricard

This is a great historical fiction novel set in the 1970's.

The characters are well written and I love all the fashion details.

The author definitely did her research.

Really enjoyed the story and the characters.

In essence, a century of high fashion seen through the eyes of 3 generations of women whose creativity gets sublimated to men who take credit leaving the women overlooked as designers in their own right, yet the center focus of illiterati who perceive them as dismissible accessories. The love of fabrics and fabrication is highlighted with sensuous language and the various time periods come to life vividly in the skilled hands of this author. The characters are complex and their legacies live on to affect the lives of their child and grandchild.

This is the story of 3 generations of fashion designers. Astrid Bicard is a fashion designer. She has a relationship with a male designer, Hawk Jones. At that time, women as designers are not taken seriously. While Astrid designs most of Hawk's clothing line, he gets credit. Astrid has a daughter and struggles establishing her own career as a solo female fashion designer. One day, she disappears. She leaves behind her iconic silk, white dress. mystery.
Blythe Bricard is a divorced mother of 2 children, living in Paris, and is struggling to establish her own career as a designer. Can she escape the memory of Astrid and Mizza? Will she discover what happened to Astrid Bricard.
This was a novel about fashion, the industry, relationships and mystery. It is delightful to read and has much intrigue.

👗 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ASTRID BRICARD by Natasha Lester 👗

★★★★☆

📖 About: Three generations. One chance to prove themselves. Can the women of the Bricard fashion dynasty finally rewrite their history?

🍹 Drink Pairing: Coming Soon…

🌟 Review: I ended up liking this book so much more than I thought I would! I don’t always gravitate towards historical fiction, but this book was such an effortless read. Plus, I am a sucker for a book that weaves a story between multiple timelines.

One of my favorite books of all time is “The Hours” by Michael Cunningham, and this story reminded me of that a bit while following Blythe, Astrid, and Mizza. I loved seeing history and the fashion world through their lens, but Blythe was probably my favorite of the three. There were so many twists and turns, that I really couldn’t wait to see how the story would get wrapped up and I was rooting for all three women the entire time.

What a perfect story to celebrate women during Women’s History Month. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fashion.

Thank you to Forever / Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

If you love fashion and you love historical fiction this book is for you! Enjoyed the many timelines and stories

Fashion AND Historical Fiction? Count me in!

Thank you Forever Books for the opportunity to read this stunner!

What really happened to Astrid Bricard? This question lingers throughout the riveting new novel by Natasha Lester, “The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard” which is filled with glamour, intrigue, and mystery. Lester takes readers on a journey through the world of high fashion and the tumultuous lives of the Bricard women.

The novel opens with a glimpse of Astrid Bricard at the height of her career in the 70s, wearing a daring silver lamé dress that becomes iconic. However, as the story unfolds, we learn that Astrid's life is not as perfect as it seems. Her struggle to break free from the shadow of her infamous mother, Mizza Bricard, and make a name for herself in the couture world is at the heart of the narrative.

This is my third book I’ve read by Natasha Lester and it certainly won’t be my last. Her ability to write intricate stories woven rich with historical detail, compelling characters and just the right amount of glamour is spectacular. I always know I’m in for a treat (especially as a fashion design major) when I pick up one of her books.

Are you ready to unravel the secrets of Astrid Bricard?

I absolutely loved this book! I loved getting all the viewpoints from the different time periods to piece together the whole story. I also loved the added history of how women were treated in the 70's in the fashion (and really any) arena. Very well written.

3.5 stars
The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard follows 3 generations of women in fashion. Mizza has to navigate sexism in the fashion industry in Paris during WW2. Astrid faces the sexism of the fashion industry in 1970s NYC. Blythe faces the same issues of sexism in the fashion industry in present days. The exposition of this sexism is the star of the show. It’s sad how “plus ca change, plus c’est le même”. It might have been a five star read for me right there but, I felt for a book that wants to take on the patriarchy, it was frustratingly inconsistent for Astrid and Blythe’s characterizations in particular. That being said, I was invested from start to find out what did happen with Astrid!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for an e-ARC of this book. The opinions in it are solely my own. I will try to leave this review as spoiler free as possible.

I have yet to read Daisy Jones and the Six, which The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is compared to. For me, fashion, multiple women's points of view and generational tales are my jam.

Astrid is a bold streak across the 70's and is a complex and beautiful character. I enjoyed learning more about how women fought for their place in fashion in an industry dominated by men.

Mizza was an enigma, and I did not have any previous knowledge regarding the real-life person her character was based on.

The book was easy to follow, carefully orchestrated between the three women's timelines and when they interconnect later in the book, it was shocking.

The freedom each woman seeks in each timeframe is at the heart of the novel. Freedom from the era, preconceived notions society pinned on them, the freedom to be themselves.

It is a bold and empowering book and I was swept away throughout its pages.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester is a compelling and captivating novel that tells the story of three generations of women in the Bricard fashion dynasty, and the mystery of Astrid’s disappearance. The book is a blend of historical fiction, mystery, romance, and feminism, that explores the themes of identity, ambition, love, betrayal, and family, as well as the role of women as muses and creators in the fashion industry. The book is well-written, well-researched, and well-crafted, with engaging plot, character development, writing style, and overall impact. The book is highly recommended for readers who enjoy stories about fashion, history, and strong female characters. The book is a must-read for fans of Natasha Lester and her previous novels.

Thank to NetGalley and Forever & Grand Central Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise sounded good but I just couldn’t get into the book. There was a lot of jumping around chronologically and it was too long at 468 pages.

The only part I enjoyed was a sneak peak into the fashion industry. I enjoyed how the women in this fashion family were trying to create clothes for women that could work in the workplace and also evening events, like the introduction of women wearing pants!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ {historical fiction}

Thank you to @readforeverpub for the advance copy of this gorgeous and fascinating novel! I learned so much about the history of fashion and was spellbound by the characters and their stories.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard
By: @natashalesterauthor
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 0
Pub date: January 30, 2024

Everyone remembers her daringly short, silver lamé dress. An iconic photo capturing an electric moment, where emerging American designer Astrid Bricard is young, uninhibited, and on the cusp of fashion and feminism’s changing landscape. She and fellow designer Hawk Jones are skyricketing to fame, but she can’t escape the shadow of her mother, the infamous “muse” for Christian Dior. Astrid is positioned to be the next great designer... but then she disappeared.

Now Astrid’s daughter, Blythe, holds what remains of her mother and grandmother’s legacies. Of all the Bricard women, she can create something that will shake the foundations of fashion. The only piece missing is the one question no one’s been able to answer: What really happened to Astrid?

This novel, partially based on true historical events, is sweeping and... big. It takes us through three generations of women who were fighting to be acknowledged for their work in fashion, but often reduced to a side story or being the supposed muse of a much more famous man.

The story was fascinating and the characters mesmerizing. I don’t know much about fashion but I was riveted! I’m generally a fan of multiple timelines and pov, but when you introduce three generations to a story, the balance gets tricky to achieve. Some characters had too much time (Astrid) and a repetitive storyline, and others I wanted more (Mizza and Blythe)!

This was my first novel by Lester, who is a very beloved historical fiction author. Her writing is beautiful and she uses a lot of imagery to tell her stories.

Fans of TJR will enjoy this one, as will anyone who likes historical fiction that uses a blend of real and imagined events and timelines. This took me a while to read, but I’m glad I did!

I loved the ending! This was a gorgeous and great historical fiction novel that I would recommend to mystery readers as well! Highly enjoyable and should be a #booktok success!

Every year, Natasha Lester's newest historical fiction novel is at the top of my TBR. Unfortunately, I think "Astrid Bricard" was my least favorite of her's so far - it was still good, but it just didn't captivate me as quickly and deeply as her stories usually do. I didn't think the mystery element of this story was quite as well done as in pervious books, nor was I as big of a fan of Blythe or Astrid as I usually am of Lester's protagonists.

Thanks to the publisher and Natasha Lester for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Natasha Lester’s books never disappoint me. The research, the writing, and the characters make it an exceptional historical fiction novel that draws me in from the first page to the end. As soon as I finished reading the arc of THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ASTRID BRICARD, I immediately preordered it because I needed this story on my shelf. Plus, this is one of my favorite covers in a long time!

I’m obsessed with fashion, so reading that this book was supposed to be a blend of feminism, fashion, and history set against the real-life designers’ showdown in Versailles in the 1970s, I had to read it. It did not disappoint. Flipping between the 1940s, the 1970s, and the present day, it takes you on a ride through women in fashion and how they were (are) treated. I got attached to the women that Lester wrote about and wanted to be friends with them, and each had a captivating story that wove together to make one intriguing novel.

PS - If you are a fan of THE THREE LIVES OF ALIX ST. PIERRE by Natasha Lester, like me, you should definitely pick this up 😉

PSS - Lester always includes amazing author’s notes. Don’t skip out on reading them!

Thanks, Forever and Netgalley, for the gifted arc!

Content Warnings: misogyny, alcoholism, familial death, grief, sexual assault, war, antisemitism, racism