Photo by Helmet Newton

Over the weekend the fashion world lost an immense renaissance woman who represented timeless style, innovation, and experimentation to her very last breath.

If you don’t know or have never heard of Loulou De la Falaise, then I suggest you at least thank her for inspiring the iconic women’s tuxedo designed by Yves St. Laurent. In her lifetime, de la Falaise managed to partner with St. Laurent in debunking gender roles in fashion. Long before Karl Lagerfeld, or even Ralph Lauren thought to play with gender roles on their runways, Falaise was sashaying down Parisian avenues shocking the gentry with her sparkling smile and boyish hips. She was the 1970’s incarnation of a young Coco Chanel, with the street urchin salaciousness of an aristo-gone-guttersnipe.

Here’s a little history lesson: Born in Britain, Louise Vava Lucia Henriette de la Falaise was the daughter of an Irish mother, Maxime Birley, who was an occasional model for Elsa Schiaparelli, and a French father, Alain de la Falaise.

De la Falaise met YSL in 1968, and she soon joined his house, designing jewelry and clothing. She reportedly served as the muse for the designer’s Le Tuxedo, a groundbreaking tuxedo made for women that pioneered a new look in menswear.

Photo by David Bailey

Photographer Unknown

Photo by David Bailey

I first discovered de la Falaise in the 1990’s, while reading my first issues of Vogue as a pre-teen. I wasn’t aware then, as I am now, that style is timeless and trends are forever fleeting. De la Falaise taught me to stick to a trademark style, versatile and adaptive to any occasion. She taught me to experiment with different patterns; for example, pairing striped pants with a bright monochromatic blazer or a classic white shirt. Style, I find within America, is a very rare commodity.

Thank You LOULOU. You will be missed and never forgotten.

Posted by Ana Lola Roman for PHOTOSYNTH

(Source: telegraph.co.uk)