A Dress of Violet Taffeta by Tessa Arlen Book Tour and Review!

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• Title: A Dress of Violet Taffeta: A Novel

• Author: Tessa Arlen

• Genre: Historical Fiction

• Publisher: ‎Berkley (July 5, 2022)

• Length: (352) pages

• Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook 

• ISBN: 978-0593436851

• Tour Dates: June 27-July 11, 2022

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Tess Arlen is the author of In Royal Service to the Queen and she has a new book, A Dress of Violet  Taffeta.

The advance praise for A Dress of Violet Taffeta has been stellar, and I hope you will jump right in and explore the fascinating story of the life and career of Lucy, Lady Duff Gordan.

Book Description

Set in Edwardian England, when a woman’s opportunities outside the home were limited, Lucy is forced to reinvent herself to support herself and her young daughter after being abandoned by her husband. Determined to become a couture fashion designer, when few women had tried, she trailblazed through all the obstacles thrown at her, wins a messy public divorce, and survives the sinking of the Titanic. Her stunning, innovative fashions only mirror her meteoric life and career.

Tessa Arlen is the author of the critically acclaimed Lady Montfort mystery series—Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman and was a finalist for the 2016 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. She is also the author of Poppy Redfern: A Woman of World War II mystery series. And the author of the historical fiction; “In Royal Service to the Queen” and available July 5, 2022 “A Dress of Violet Taffeta.”

Tessa lives in the Southwest with her family and two corgis where she gardens in summer and writes in winter.

http://www.tessaarlen.com

 Advance Praise

• “A Dress of Violet Taffeta is a vivid and detailed portrait of the life of the legendary Lucy Duff Gordon. Tessa Arlen has crafted a transporting and beautiful homage to Lucy Duff Gordon’s creativity, perseverance, and influence on the fashion industry.”— Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author of Our Last Days in Barcelona
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• "Tessa Arlen delivers a fascinating tale based on the real-life fashion icon, Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon, who went up against a male-dominated industry and revolutionized it. Her daring designs were worn by royals, aristocrats, and the celebrities of her day.  Be prepared to Google your way through this captivating novel, filled with its glorious ensemble cast of characters. Rich and atmospheric, Arlen’s descriptions of haute couture are simply breathtaking. A must-read for fashion fans everywhere."— Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces
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My Thoughts

This novel is about the Belle Epoque icon Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon who was a talented clothing designer in late 1800s England. Forced to find a way to take care of her daughter and her mother after she divorces her husband who was a ne'er do well.  Unfaithful and an alcoholic. Married life with him was not what she hoped it would be. Divorce was frowned upon back then but it didn't matter to her.

She loved making dresses for her dolls as a child and thought to pursue that talent that she had. She became well known for her designs, particularly her tea gowns, and evening wear, and went on to design lingerie which was considered to be risque for some. She also was credited for training her professional models and having the 'catwalk'. Her clients were among the wealthiest in England and America. She also dressed actresses and dancers including Ziegfield Follies. Her company, Lucile Ltd, was one of the elite fashion houses and flourished from the turn of the century to the 1920s. 

She was the sister of Elinor Glyn who was a novelist and scriptwriter, very famous in her own right. Lucy married Sir Cosmos Duff-Gordon. They traveled quite a bit and were passengers on the fateful day the Titanic sunk. They survived but later were questioned in the inquiry in Britain. He was accused of paying bribes to get on a lifeboat which was not true as he wanted to help out the seven crew members that shared the lifeboat with him and his wife. He gave them each some money so they could replace what they lost. He was eventually exonerated but was depressed for the rest of his life because of it.

I really enjoyed this book, I love stories about strong women, especially women from this time period. Written with superb research, I think that the author definitely did Lucy justice.

I received a cop of the book for review purposes only.