Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Spy Girl


Betty Catroux is a former Chanel model and fashion icon. She has also been labeled a muse by Yves Saint Laurent. Born Betty Saint, she is the only daughter of Carmen Saint, a Brazilian socialite and Elim O'Shaughnessy, an American diplomat.

Betty met Yves when she was 23 at Regine's, the notoriously gay Paris nightclub, in the mid sixties. She had long straight platinum-blond hair set against an angular face. Her androgynous appearance, lanky body and super long legs impressed Yves. With their similar body types, he often referred to Betty as his twin sister. Perceiving her as a femme fatale, she took on a visual inspiration for Yves, which translated into his designs.

In 1968, Betty married French interior decorator, Francois Catroux. The couple has two daughters, Maxine and Daphne.

In 2002, Tom Ford dedicated his debut YSL Rive Gauche collection to Catroux.








No comments: