⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
A Dress of Violet Taffeta follows the rise of fashion icon Lucy Duff-Gordon, and the narrative unfolds through her eyes and those of Celia, her young assistant, who claws her way up from serving as a scullery maid to running much of the operation. Their dual viewpoints give the story texture—Lucy brings the glamour, while Celia shows the grit behind the gowns.
The novel is rich in historical color, and I appreciated the glimpse into the early days of haute couture. Still, I wish the author had stayed truer to Lucy’s real-life spirit. She was a powerhouse, but here she sometimes feels softened, almost too refined for the woman history remembers. The romance with her second husband also felt hurried, like the relationship was stitched together without enough fabric.
What worked beautifully was their harrowing brush with the Titanic. Those pages have real spark and reminded me why Lucy’s life story is worth telling. Overall, the period detail kept me engaged, even if the tone leaned a little too “girlie” for my taste. But readers who love opulent settings, determined women, and a dash of maritime drama will probably enjoy the ride.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a comp. Opinions are my own.