I woke up this morning to the sad news of Loulou de la Falaise's passing, and could not devote my post to anyone else but to a fashion icon so dear to my heart. Loulou de la Falaise, collaborator and muse to the late Yves Saint Laurent, died on Saturday in her home in Vexin, France. She was 64.
A true influential figure ahead of her time, Loulou de la Falaise affirmed her style by defying gender roles with her slim and often boyish silhouette, adorning herself with less delicate pieces such as chunky-like jewelry and turbans.
Referred to as “the quintessential Rive Gauche haute bohémienne” by the New Yorker, de la Falaise’s style served as the inspiration for YSL’s Le Smoking suit and YSL’s classic sheer blouse, a style de la Falaise often wore herself. In Saint Laurent's own words, "Loulou’s true talent, other than her undeniable professional qualities, is her charm. Unique. Moving ... She has an extraordinary lightness of touch, along with a faultless critical view of fashion. Intuitive, innate, individual. Her presence at my side is a dream".
For more than three decades, de la Falaise designed jewelry and accessories for Yves Saint Laurent in addition to serving as his muse and constant companion. As Cathy Horyn writes in her On the Runway post, Loulou's “chunky bracelets and necklaces…helped establish the YSL look.” When Saint Laurent retired in 2002, she left as well, later launching her own label designing ready-to-wear, costume jewelry, and accessories, sold in a namesake boutique she opened on Rue Cambon. Loulou is survived by her daughter and husband.
A 1970s picture of Loulou wearing a style that served as inspiration of Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2011 show. Courtesy of Fashionista.com.
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