A pretty quick read! Paris and fashion and St. Laurent and glamour - what more could you ask for? I enjoyed this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read The Saint Laurent Muse by C. W. Gortner, a fascinating look at the world of fashion in the 70s - i loved it!!

Loulou de La Falaise had a free-spirited adolescence because her mother abandoned her and her brother . She also exposed her daughter to fashion with a flair. She became the muse and inspiration to Yves St Laurent, thus entering the world of designer and couture fashion at the age of 24.. She could accessorize an outfit in a flash.
The culture of couture included partying, getting high, and "fleeting relationships " to the point of decadence and excess. That was the signature of the 60s, with hippies , free love, and drugs..
Although Loulou entered this private world when she was still very young, St Laurent respected her ability to put together a look. She influenced and completed the work and style of YSL for more than 3o years.
It was exciting to read about the beautiful clothes. The fashion shows and designers have so much talent, and sometimes I wondered if they were aware of their worth and capabilities.
Loulou was the queen of completing a look. She would party all night long and always showed up for work in the morning. Her accessories made the outfit.
She partied hard and lived harder although she said she knew when to rein it in. She didn't. She was a sweet friend who understood loyalty. She was there to emotionally support those she cared for. Seduction and scandal ruled the fashion world. As the author got into private matters, I felt a disconnect with the supposed elegance of the fashion houses. YSL was more complex than his projected image.
The author stated a desire to capture a moment in time in this fictionalized representation of the fashion world and crew..
Loulou lived from May of 1947 to November, 2011.

Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me a copy of the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a very specific subgenre: novelized history of a minor historic actor. It is a tricky type of book to write. This was written well enough but still didn’t appeal to me unfortunately. But there are enough readers who enjoy this type of book, and other readers who love this era.

THE SAINT LAURENT MUSE
BY: C.W. GORTNER

C. W. Gortner is really the Author I credit for my realization that I loved Historical fiction when I read one of his historical fiction novels approximately eleven or twelve years ago. I ended up reading everything that he published back then, and I always read whatever he publishes. This newest work of his called, "THE SAINT LAURENT MUSE," he said something to the effect that this is the one he has written that he felt the more passionate about. Although, in either his Author's Note or Acknowledgements he listed several books that he used to help him write this he states that his goal was not to write a biographical history. That is disappointing to me personally since I have come to admire historical fiction favorite Authors, for example Allison Pataki who do strive to stick as close to the historical record as much as possible. I understand that for many reasons such as narrative flow, too many characters that historical fiction Authors take creative license, and alter timelines, create composite characters. etc., for their idea of their improving the storytelling. However, that's a reason why I don't love historical fiction as much as I used to. One of the biggest reasons is beyond pure entertainment I read with an intent to learn, so with that said sometimes when Author's don't present historical fiction as factually correct it can lead me to read their primary sources, or do my own research on as much non-fiction as I can find. I know from other reviewers who read historical fiction that they, as well I, feel appreciative to when Authors distinguish in their Authors Notes what is factual, and what is fiction. That's not to say that C.W. Gortner did that with this novel, because he didn't other than saying this isn't biographical historical fiction, but he gives a glimpse as to what's important to him, and for that I am grateful. Even though C.W. Gortner didn't separate facts from fiction, he sure succeeds in being an impetus for me wanting to look into Yves Saint Laurent, and his muse, as they both led exceptional lives during an era that I know won't happen again. This is in my humble opinion, is this author's most controversial book out of his impressive back list of prior works it's fast paced, and has only reinforced my opinion that C.W. Gortner is a spectacular storyteller.

Loulou de la Falaise was hired by Yves Saint Laurent as his assistant since he was impressed by her Bohemian style when they met in Paris in approximately 1970-1971. The way this book was written depicted them as ending up being very close regarding their platonic relationship. Loulou did some modeling before she met Yves, but it was never a career that she was interested in doing even though she was very interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry which is how being an American she moved to Paris. Loulou didn't have an easy childhood growing up, and had a short marriage and divorce when she was nineteen. When she was three years old her mother divorced her father, and the French courts in the 1950's deemed her mother unfit, where custody of her and her younger brother was awarded to her father. Whether he had no idea how to raise two young children, or he didn't have any interest she and her brother spent time in Foster care for their early years. For Loulou she later spent time in England's boarding schools, which during holidays split between her father in France, and her maternal grandparents in Sussex, since her mother was always away on some adventure.

Loulou's mother did impart on her the push she needed to move to Paris since her mother gave her some valuable advice. She always charged a head with her life, and if one great way that she helped Loulou was by reminding her that we can't depend on our looks forever. Also she said to Loulou that we all need to find something that we love to do more than anything else and do it. For Loulou that was working in fashion, and reminded her that if she was serious about a career in fashion, that Paris was the place. Loulou had just turned twenty-three years old and met a friend named Betty who took Loulou to one of Yves couture fashion shows.

Couture was made by hand, very expensive was all Loulou knew at the time but a more modern definition is its the design, and manufacture of fashionable clothing to a client's specific measurements. At that fashion show she heard two older women scoff that "What is he showing us this season? Clothes for boys?" Loulou realized as she overheard them that the clothes that the models wore were ensembles that were pieces from a male wardrobe, interpreted for a stylized female form. Yves and Loulou met at the end of the fashion show from Betty who already had planned their meeting at an afternoon tea given by Fernando who Loulou was staying with, and they both hit it off from the start. Yves asked Loulou what she thought of the show and she answered him by saying, "unexpected." With Yves response something like, "as it should be." He told Loulou that he designed the line of clothing for Betty. I thought that Yves was humble, but also vulnerable when it came to his partner Pierre who handled the business end of their Salon. I thought Loulou was very confident, who they both were extremely lovable characters as C. W. Gortner portrayed them in this book. I say that with admiration as their closeness was one of great sensitivity and politeness towards others as much as towards each other.

At age 23 when Loulou was invited by Yves to go to his Designer Salon she was asked to pick out her favorite sketches by which she did, and then she picked out from different fabrics she would include since he was known to design in Black, and White, then choose the colors of fabric later. She had such a keen eye and innate flair to pick out ideas that impressed him, he hired her at that first visit to be his assistant. I learned so much about fashion and the different designers at the time. What was so moving to me was how they treated each other with mutual respect, and how even though they worked closely together so well, but how tender they treated each other. Loulou was often the person Yves would turn to while he was going through a bad time, and she was not just his muse but the only person he sought out while going through an upsetting time with mostly Jacques a predator who was a young man that took advantage of Yves gentle, and sincere feelings. Another designer house that wasn't anywhere as talented, and successful as Yves Saint Laurent. Loulou had so much empathy, and she was talented, but did whatever she could to be helpful to other vulnerable young men who were in peril because of the excess of what went on that practically everyone participated in doing.

This was a fast paced, interesting historical fiction in which I could add so much more about all the different designers who were mentioned. Ready to wear clothing and its origins within Yves Saint Laurent's designer house and how he had such a sixth sense for fashion. Pierre was described through a character who was a designer likened him to Napoleon, and I have to remember that C. W. Gortner is ultimately responsible for the character development. He is also responsible for illuminating Yves Saint Laurent, and Loulou de la Falaise who had been portrayed to not just collaborate together, but had a deeply caring, and larger than life platonic friendship who Yves and her love for one another that was as loyal as you could expect. As I am reiterating C.W. Gortner writes such captivating historical fiction novels, and made both Yves Saint Laurent, and Loulou de la Falaise's characters come to vibrant life on the page. I could feel the strength of their emotional connection to be so much more than mere one of Paris's top designers, and his muse, but two admirable people who met between 1970--1971. They meant so much to one another than a genius designer that collaborated with one another. There was a deep abiding love in a platonic sense that transcends their work. Yves seemed to give Loulou her big break to climb to the heights of working in fashion, and she supported Yves Saint Laurent as no one could. That's the way C. W. Gortner has presented their dynamics that she was his support system emotionally through his heartbreak. She was so much more than his muse. She at least in parts of this narrative given his honest nature trusted easily making them both to have both left a lasting impression. In summary, C. W Gortner did a fantastic job about achieving his goal with his most passionate writing project. I saw the humanity that he infused in this beautifully written novel. There's a lot of substance abuse that went on, so I would be remiss if I failed to disclose that aspect, but I still think its a labor of love by a favorite author whose the depths of love transcends. Highly, Highly Recommended. This historical fiction novel deserves to reach as wide of an adult audience as possible.

Publication Date: March 18, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, C.W. Gortner and, William Morrow--William Morrow Paperbacks for your generosity in providing me with my ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.

#TheSaintLaurentMuse #CWGortner #WilliamMorrowWilliamMorrowPaperbacks #NetGalley

1970s, Paris, where Loulou de La Falaise meets up with Yves St Laurent and becomes his muse. We are taken into their world of fashion and it is fast-paced and filled with drugs, alcohol, infidelity and sex. While I appreciated Learning about the fashion end, the crazy lifestyles was not really my thing.

British aristocrat Loulou de la Falaise is seeking adventure and finds it in the fashion world of Paris in the 1970s. Her bohemian style instantly captures Saint Laurent's attention and becomes his muse, his assistant, and his confidant. Woven into the story are other players in the fashion scene during that time as well as Loulou's own self discovery.

I have read almost all of Gortner's books and usually enjoy them and the unique glimpse of history that they provide. However this one didn't quite hit the mark for me and I waited to write the review to figure out why. I have two thoughts as to why this one wasn't a favorite (I mean I love fashion and the stories were fun and wild) - the first is that the main character was not the historically significant person but rather than another character in their life (i.e. this was about Yves Saint Laurent but through his muse). For me this didn't work as well because she was not a character I connected with, in addition there was a lot of her story in it and I would have preferred YSL's story more. Looking at Gortner's catalog I think he prefers to write from the women's perspective and maybe that was why the choice was made, but I would have preferred it to be centered on YSL. Second, and keep in mind I LOVE books - but this one was so visual that I really would have preferred a TV series on it so I can look at all the fashion. All that being said, it was fun to read about this time, place and people - I just found it a little slow at times.

3.75 Stars

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Knowing nothing about haute courte fashion or French fashion designers, I found this book to be both enjoyable and informative. The novel follows the career of Loulou de la Falaise as she attempts to become part of French fashion, eventually becoming muse to Yves Saint Laurent. In The Saint Laurent Muse by C. W. Gortner, we meet all the exciting and troubled people of the French fashion industry during the turbulent 60’s. Gortner does an excellent job of giving the reader insight to the struggles endured by these men together with their greatness. There is substance abuse, alcohol and HIV, all of which are available to the designers of the time. Throughout all the excess of this time, there is also friendship, love and a real desire to be kind, understanding and helpful to each other. This was a very enlightening novel.

Set in 1970's Paris, The Saint Laurent Muse, is Loulou de la Failaise, a young woman at loose ends. Recently divorced and wondering what to next with her life she stumbles into the fashion world and meets Yves Saint Laurent. Almost immediately she becomes his muse, a term she hates, as it sounds indolent and she, despite the partying and reckless life she sometimes leads, is hardworking and full of her own inspirations. She is also a close friend and confidante of Yves and their story is more about their lives then about the fashion world itself.
This was a fascinating look into a world I know very little about, and done incredibly well. I was deeply invested in the lives, and loves of Loulou and Yves and desperately wanted happy endings for them all.

Glamour and drama set in the 70's fashion scene

Loulou de la Falaise was part aristocrat, part iconoclast, and 100% It Girl during the tumultous 70's. After marrying an Irish baron with a castle when she was young (a very bad choice for someone who wasn't inclined to follow the rules) and quickly divorcing him, she eventually returned to NYC and fell in with the crowd at Andy Warhol's Factory. She wasn't really going anywhere, though, so her mother (no stranger to raising eyebrows and scandalizing the masses herself) suggested that Loulou head to Paris and give the fashion world a try. She did just that, and despite having no particular training in design and only a brief stint at a London fashion magazine, Loulou would make her mark on the world of high fashion nonetheless. Her innate sense of style caught the eye of the young designer taking Paris by storm, Yves Saint Laurent, and the two quickly become a team breaking through the barriers of old school haute couture with Yves's Rive Gauche high end ready to wear line. Cocaine, champagne, and no-rules sex were de rigeur, friendships would be made and broken, and rivalries would endeavor to ruin everything and everyone on the scene.
While this is very much a novel that details how things may have happened during these heady days in Paris, the characters contained within its pages and many of the events therein described were very real. Before the Kardashian/Jenner clan and the Hadid girls there was Loulou de la Falaise, who parlayed her fearless approach to fashion into crafting an image of who she wanted to be to the world. The story is full of dazzling (often decadent) parties, namedrop-worthy celebs (Andy Warhol, Mick and Bianca Jagger), and the hedonistic world of Paris fashion, all vividly portrayed as the characters soar in their chosen endeavor...a quick and engaging read perfect for lovers of fashion and the 70's era as well as for those who enjoy authors like Marie Benedict, Judith Krantz and Erika Robuck. I rate it at 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5 in a nod to the days when I spritzed myself with the Rive Gauche scent. Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for allowing me access to this splashy and addictive tale in exchange for my honest review.

4.5

Surprise at every turn…

…but perhaps not what you think!

With several historic novels set in Paris released over the last couple of years, I did not anticipate the seriousness of this story. Most of the other books dealt with their serious issues with with a c’est-la-vie attitude and Paris itself was a main character.

Often in historical fiction, famous characters may be key to the story, but one of the main character is made up of or is a composite of several different real people.

This book reads like a biography and I was just waiting to finish to find out what was real and what was not. I kept myself from looking up images of people just in case I stumbled upon some fact that would spoil the book for me. That said, I just had to look up the “offensive” collections. That and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild could not wait for image searches.

This book covers a time when sex and drugs, mainly cocaine (which apparently the 80s did not own), were infamously free flowing and many stories of real-life icons ended in tragedy. I anticipated tragedy at every show of wreckless behavior, especially before the story’s climax finally revealed itself. My mind was playing its own suspenseful music track and calling it a thriller.

In “The Saint Laurent Muse”, Paris’s importance is as the fashion capital, but the settings are primarily interior and, other than the infamous Versailles event, the history and architecture could be interchangeable. Paris is their home, not a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that weaves in every famous bridge and boulevard.

Diving into this book, I was aware that I knew little about Yves Saint Laurent as a person. I soon realized that I not only knew very little about the brand, but the entire history of couture and prêt-à-porter fashion.

This book is a bit of a tough pill to swallow for a straight arrow like me, but it’s a well-woven tale of design and debauchery and the thin lign between the two.

Thank you to C.W. Gortner, NetGalley, and William Morrow for providing me with a free advanced copy of this ebook for my unbiased review.

#TheSaintLaurentMuse #NetGalley #yvessaintlaurent #paris #louloudelafalaise #fashion #couture

The Saint Laurent Muse grabbed me from the first page and reeled me in. You can smell the cigarettes, perfume and sweat in the clubs, feel the intensity of preparing fashion shows, and sense the slide of silk over models bodies as they prepare for the runway. The vibe is similar to that of 80's rock and roll bands: sex, drug and music (even if not rock and roll).

Loulou is the daughter of a seemingly indifferent mother. It's a time of hippies and the cutthroat battles between famous couture houses. Loulou becomes Saint Laurent's muse, and more....his best friend. The life could be brutal, long hours, extreme competition, full of politics, sex, drugs and more. The relationship between Loulou and Saint Laurent is deep and resilient, a beautiful thing.

The book is a compelling deep dive into a world I'd never known about before. It's a beautifully researched, well written, totally engrossing book.

This book details the life of Loulou de la Falaise, who's bohemian flair immediately captured Saint Laurent’s attention, when she arrived in Paris, looking for work. Together, they embarked on a glorious intimate friendship as artist and muse.. The 1970's were a time of excess - from the excessive drinking & drug use, to the hedonistic underworld of gay nightclubs, to the decadent parties that were thrown by members of high society. As Yves plunged into a dangerous, secret affair with Karl Lagerfeld's young companion, Loulou found herself falling in love with a colleague’s handsome boyfriend, This was not only a story about some of the greatest designers of that time period, but also a story of friendship. I personally am uninterested in fashion, so the topic of this book wasn't one that interested me. That being said, I am a huge fan of this author, and so I was interested in reading it regardless. I felt that he did an excellent job bringing these individuals to life. If you enjoy historical fiction, then you should definitely check this out.

3.5 Stars

Sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll -but with a LOT more sex and drugs---I mean tons! However, the sex doesn't really get explicit until near the end of the book.

At any rate, that was my warning. Now, on to the meat of the review.

This book would have been my cup of tea had the drug use and sex not been so explicit. I know the '70s were a lot different, with different types of drugs being favored and AIDS just coming into play. I also understand that these arty types had a different life to lead than I did. (Yes, I admit I was a teen in the '70s!) I hadn't even seen cocaine until I was nearly 30! These explicit scenes needed to be part of the story if we are to believe that this was a historical/ biographical writing about Yves Saint Laurent and Loulou de la Falaise. It must be true.

I learned a lot about the "dawning of the age of Aquarius" that I had never seen before, and, of course, about the life of a haute couture designer who goes to ready-to-wear.

An interesting, thought-provoking read that just didn't do it for me. Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would becuase just because it wasn't for me, I can see that there are going to be many out there (especially those in my age bracket) that are going to love this gossipy inside scoop to the elite of the haute couture world.

A lot of good gossip (or fiction) about Karl Lagerfeld and others of his ilk.

Depressing, well just a bit; backstabby and vicious---oh my yes!

*ARC provided by the publisher William Morrow and Company, the author, and NetGalley.

Real-life Loulou de la Falaise as Yves Saint Laurent muse gave both "wow she is lucky to have fallen into this job," feeling but then followed with "okay but she's obviously made for this job," feeling while we follow her story to helping YSL during fashion's transition from runway to ready-to-wear paralleling the changing times in women's clothing & fashion in the 70s.

The behind the scenes happenings in high fashion circles both professionally and extracurricularly felt like watching a fashion-biased "I love the 70s" MTV episode mixed with a little Bravo reality TV. Given Loulou's biological family history, I was pleasantly surprised at the essentially "found family" trope being part of this high fashion and celebrity story. We also get a glimpse of an interesting love triangle/romance that I had no idea about.... My favorite historical fiction are those with a real-life character that I can intermittently stop, fact find and learn something that really happened while enjoying story telling that also includes some flourish and dialogue. The story could have had much more FASHION in it, but ended up being a really fun behind the scenes look at this industry and fashion house rivalries in the 1970s.

The Saint Laurent Muse brings to life the Paris of the 70s with the greatest names in fashion, their rivalry, nightlife, glamour and vanity.

Loulou de la Falaise comes from aristocratic family. Her childhood wasn’t nurturing. It involved divorced parents, foster families, boarding schools, and unloving grandparents. It led her into unhappy marriage at young age, followed shortly by divorce. But there was one crucial lesson which her mother, Maxime, instilled in her that it was important to create one’s existence. Her mother always looked forward, never backwards, and understood that the key to happiness was to find something you love to do. For Maxime, it was fashion collections in Paris where she also took Loulou who was mesmerized by the clothes.

Loulou’s career path takes her from assisting at in-store fashion shows in Europe to some odd fashion jobs in NYC. While visiting a friend in Paris, she is invited to a Saint Laurent couture fashion show. And that’s when everything changes for her. She gets involved in designing with Yves and also becomes his muse. The fashion world becomes her family which she never experienced as a child.

The friendship between Loulou and Yves reveals all the glamour and excesses of high society, the decadent parties and underworld nightclubs. The professional rivalry between Yves and Lagerfeld leads to division and tensions among friends, which further leads to deception.

The Saint Laurent Muse exposes how in fashion boundaries of propriety are pushed to the brim and scandals. It reveals the time when haute couture was being rivaled by new trend of lucrative world of ready-to-wear clothes. Tumultuous time is vividly exposed with all the rivalry and tensions among fashion designers and personal friendships. The narrative and richly imagined interactions are authentic.

The story involves more of overindulgences rather than fashion designing itself, not shying away from graphic descriptions. Nevertheless, the subject is portrayed by a very talented writer who chose to tackle this challenging subject.

Set in 1970's Paris, Loulou de la Falaise is a wealthy, divorcee that hits the fashion scene with Yves Saint Laurent. The story follows their couture house, the highs and lows of the fashion world and lots of drugs/partying. It was interesting reading about the fashion icons and their entourage - a lot of people I didn't know much about. It started a little slow, but then I totally got immersed in the story and it was fascinating.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

I was lucky to receive an advanced review copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. C. W. Gortner is one of my favorite authors and I have been anxiously awaiting his new novel . The Saint Laurent Muse covers the excesses of the 1970s era in the fashion business in Paris. It will be published on March 18, 2025.

I had a difficult time becoming interested in the book. Alot of characters were introduced in the first 40 pages and I couldn't keep them straight. When Loulou began working for St. Laurent, around page 60, the characters were kept to a minimum as the focus was on the shop where the designers worked. The story then took off. However, my confusion over the plot was based upon the main character not being as famous as other women that Gortner has written about, such as Coco Chanel and Lucretia Borgia. I searched Wikipedia to determine whether Loulou de la Falaise was a real life person and she was. She was the second of three muses that Yves Saint Laurent had in his studio. Designers Karl Lagerfeld and Halston are featured prominently for their drug use at parties as well as their competition with Yves.

What was Yves Saint Laurent known for? He was the first haute couture designer to sell a ready to wear collection. He also changed his style of clothing to bohemian. Loulou was the inspiration for these designs. She wanted women to feel comfortable with their clothing. Loulou created jewelry for herself to wear at the parties that she attended. Yves liked them enough to eventually promote her to be the jewelry designer for his brand. Other firsts for him included the creation of the beatnik look, the pea coat, smock tops, and thigh high boots. Saint Laurent is often said to be the designer responsible for the acceptance of women wearing of pants. It was fun to read about the suits that Yves was famous for creating. A tuxedo for women, Le Smoking, was one such creation.

The party scene in Paris was distasteful to me. Although accurate in its description, I hated to read about all the cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use at the nightly parties that the staff engaged in. I don't know how anyone would be able to work the next day after partying to 2 am, but they did.

All in all, The Saint Laurent Muse is a compelling read.

2.5 stars, rounded to 3.

Set in the Paris of the 1970s Loulou de la Falaise, a young woman of wealth and privilege travels to Paris on a whim having escaped a brief first marriage and a strained relationship with a mother she barely knows. Almost immediately she meets Yves Saint Laurent who is enchanted by her and she goes to work for him as an assistant (but really quite a bit more) and muse at a time when haute couture is being replaced by pret a porter.

I was disappointed this wasn’t about the fashion…this is all drugs, partying and sex and the rivalry between YSL and Karl Largerfeld. There’s some fairly scandalous stuff here, if it’s meant to be fact-ish (scandalous for the 70s, anyway. Who knows what qualifies as scandalous in the fashion world of today?) and while some of that can be fun, I was really looking for more about the clothes. Boo.

This intimate portrayal of Yves Saint Laurent goes behind closed doors to reveal the passions that drove the designer. Loulou de la Falaise, the muse in the title, is both friend and confidante. Her narration shows her devotion to the designer, but this is as much his story as hers. Fashion fans will appreciate this depiction of Saint Laurent's life, his loves, and his struggles.