With her statement own-design jewelry, off-kilter hats perched atop her chestnut hair, colorful bohemian style, and indefatigable free spirit, Loulou de la Falaise embodied fashion with flare. It’s no wonder, then, that the English fashion icon inspired the inimitable Yves Saint Laurent for decades. More than just a muse, De la Falaise – who was the inspiration behind the designer’s Le Smoking tuxedo and see-through blouses – was a constant companion. De la Falaise worked with Saint Laurent in his atelier, creating eccentric accessories and jewelry – chunky pieces decorated with large, colorful stones – up until his retirement in 2002.
Yves Saint Laurent with his muse, Loulou de la Falaise. Getty
Today, the indelible mark she left on the house of Saint Laurent is still as present as ever. Creative director Anthony Vaccarello has just launched a line of handbags, shoes, and jewelry inspired by and named after her. Featuring tassel earrings, leather mules, and quilted leather handbags, the new range of accessories look like they could have been plucked straight out of De la Falaise’s closet. The Italian-Belgian creative director of the maison took direct sartorial inspiration from De la Falaise’s earrings that she wore on her wedding day in 1977, so you can capture the look directly.
