Designer

A novel about the early career of Christian Dior

Paris, 1944. The whole city is celebrating the liberation of France and newly married Copper Reilly is trapped in an unhappy marriage. Instead of pursuing a career as a journalist, she sits at home waiting for a philandering man. One husband's infidelity follows another until the cup runs over and Copper files for divorce.

Left alone in Paris, she unexpectedly meets a very unlikely friend: of a middle-aged, weird designer. His innate shyness and aversion to publicity and fame contradict the bold brilliance of his designs. His name is Christian Dior.

Copper quickly recognizes his extraordinary talents and encourages him to become independent. They give each other the courage to live their dreams. As Paris recovers from the war and finds its former glamour, Christian builds his own fashion house and Copper plunges into the wild world of fashion journalism.

The story of friendship, love, the search for beauty and self-empowerment draws on real historical events, especially the life of Christian Dior. Among other things, it also mentions the Theatre de la mode - the famous post-war miniature haute couture fashion show.