A Dress of Violet Taffeta

By: Tessa Arlen

Narrated by: Hannah Curtis

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

A sumptuous novel based on the fascinating true story of La Belle Époque icon Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon, who shattered the boundaries of fashion with her magnificently sensual and enchantingly unique design from the USA Today bestselling author of In Royal Service to the Queen.

Lucy Duff Gordon knows she is talented. She sees color, light, and texture in ways few people can begin to imagine. But is the male dominated world of haute couture, who would use her art for their own gain, ready for her?

When she is deserted by her wealthy husband, Lucy is left penniless with an aging mother and her five-year-old daughter to support. Desperate to survive, Lucy 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 creative designs and her remarkable eye for color to take her place in the fashion world—failure 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 fashion label Lucile, her marriage to her second husband, and her legacy. But no matter what life throws at her, Lucy will live on as a trailblazing and innovative fashion icon, never letting go of what she worked so hard to earn. This is her story.

©2022 Tessa Arlen (P)2022 Penguin Audio

A self-made woman

This is a wonderful book for lovers of fashion, romance, and historical fiction. It was an unexpected pleasure. Think The Devil wears Prada meets Titanic meets a story of the Astors. So so good.

What an outstanding book!

I loved this book! The excitement Lucy had when designing a gown kept me wanting to keep listening! Her kindness and caring spirit was so refreshing!

Unusual theme

This story started out very interesting and compelling however it dragged in the second half

Interesting Historically

I'm so glad to read an historical fiction novel not about the Nazis!! Fun story and loved googling fashions made by the heroine of the story. Well written, and the narrator was superb.

Kept my attention

This work of historic fiction, set in mostly in Belle Époque London, charts the flow of fashion and the life of a woman heading her own house of iconoclastoc design, Lucy Duff Gordon. This would probably make s great movie or two. Lovely descriptions, well written and narrated. Thought it was going to end a few times and it didn't, then when it did I was a bit disappointed in the full stop chosen, there was so much more story to tell!

A bit slow

I enjoyed the story, but it seemed to move along slowly. This is about Lucy Duff Gordan’s life before the Titanic. It is extremely interesting how she was a self made success, but she was never part of the “royal” society despite marrying Lord Cosmo Duff Gordon.

The narrator has a lovely voice and I enjoyed her performance.

I know this is historical fiction, but I was puzzled as to why her 2nd in command’s name differed from historical record.

A surprise

Kept me listening, I couldn’t wait to log back in, loved all the little details.

Surprisingly good!

The storyline was interesting and believable. The assortment of characters kept me interested and I was completely enthralled with what was happening to the women in the storyline. I would highly recommend

Very interesting and entertaining

I loved it! easy to read and kept my attention! Thank you so very much!

Splendid! An absolute 5 Star novel

I love stories of rags to riches, self made, gutsy women who have to go against the current to not only survive but thrive. This is such a story. Plus the fact it was well written and researched, brilliant narration made this a pleasurable experience to read and listen to. Highly recommend.