LOULOU

Loulou in a necklace given to her by Yves Saint Laurent & Pierre Berge

In a season of not to be missed books (as there always are)  this one is THAT ONE.

Over and Over, words like CHIC &STYLE become just one word- LOULOU.
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LOULOU DE LA FALAISE is a perfect creation, like LOULOU herself, full of color, beauty, and wit.

Remembrances from friends and others in the fashionable world, the book is filled with personal photographs, and professional, along with wonderful photographic comparisons between Loulou and mother Maxime. Pierre Berge, who wrote the foreword, hopes the book will be "a source of inspiration for those who never knew her," and indeed it is.

The book, edited by Ariel de Ravenel, head of the Loulou de la Falaise brand, and writer Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni opens up Loulou's world within its pages, her style, her wit, her homes, her gardens and her professional and personal loves.

"Loulou was in her own category, like no one else." friend Paloma Picasso

 photographed for W in 2000 by Steward Shining wearing a Saint Laurent sweater and her own massive jeweled cuffs

As muse to Yves Saint Laurent, de la Falaise oversaw Saint Laurent's many years of extraordinary jewelry and accessories that always accompanied his clothes down the runway. She could wear both his clothes and jewelry like no one else because she made them her own. Her signature look was mixing wildly exotic jewelry paired with a simple black turtleneck or white blouse. Berge acknowledges her force as muse, and jewelry designer in her own right in his profound foreword.

"Loulou knew what she was in the mood for. 

She needed no reference." niece Lucie de la Falaise

 

Loulou's style essentials

This book places LOULOU DE LA FALAISE in the pantheon of those Women, along with her mother, Maxime, and grandmother, Rhoda. English roses all, yet LOULOU was a cultivated hybrid- blooming all season, quixotically colorful, and growing just a little wild. She was the classically well bred Englishwoman in Paris making magical noises with her gypsy bracelets as she traversed the city like no other.

at home in Paris, 2003

photograph by Ali Mahdavi

photographs provided by Rizzoli & used with their express permission

KATE the GREAT: Rebel Chic

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there's a new book out about a little augury favorite referred to here as Kate the Great.
Katharine Hepburn Rebel Chic is a collection of essays that provide new insights into this intensely private-feisty-American Original.

The collaborative efforts of the book include-Jean Druesedow, Barbara Cohen-Stratyner, Nancy MacDonell, Judy Samelson, and Kohle Yohannan-all writing about the Hepburn effect on Hollywood, fashion and style. Katharine Hepburn was one of the few stars that fought to maintain her individuality and because of it- her style continues to walk the fashion runways every season.

as to style- her philosophy:

 "I think you should pretend you don't care.But it's the most outrageous pretense." In other words this effort of nonchalance she assumed was studied, styled carefully and indeed-perfected. (from Rebel Chic)

 her signature look or "Uniform" sportswear-pants. at left au naturel at Fenwick, at right flawless foundation from coif to polished toe.

Tomboy style as the book refers to it- comes to mind when considering actress Kristin Stewart.
Say what you will about this young woman-she embodies Hepburn Chic-and the Hepburn mystique.

her casual attitude to clothes in her everyday life- her dress up style choices are Rebel Chic- as are her efforts to keep her private life-Private. She must know all about Kate.

A rebel and chic-but mostly it is the rebel that continues to make Hepburn so appealing to me.
Reading the stories about her sense of what was right for her-whether studio heads agreed or not.
Leaving Hollywood for New York when she was considered box office poison-she didn't follow the rules-or fit the rules and in being true to herself  she broke the mold.
What we love about her is that no holes barred- truth telling attitude.

After one memorable sartorial Rebel Chic episode at the studio, Hepburn never turned back. Hating her blue jeans, the studio heads hid them from the STAR-who declared she would parade around in the all together until the "dungarees" were returned. As she started stripping down-the pants were hastily found and returned.
KATE let them know where she stood-and that was in Pants-and  that she wore the PANTS- extremely well.


Rebel Chic is a must have for any KATE admirer, (Isn't that everyone?)
It confirms KATE is still GREAT.


find the book at Rizzoli here.
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