The Designer

Written by Marius Gabriel

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

Winner of the RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

In 1944, newly married Copper Reilly arrives in Paris soon after the liberation. While the city celebrates its freedom, she’s stuck in the prison of an unhappy marriage. When her husband commits one betrayal too many, Copper demands a separation.

Alone in Paris, she finds an unlikely new friend: an obscure, middle-aged designer from the back rooms of a decaying fashion house whose timid nature and reluctance for fame clash with the bold brilliance of his designs. His name is Christian Dior.

Realising his genius, Copper urges Dior to strike out on his own, helping to pull him away from his insecurities and towards stardom. With just a camera and a typewriter, she takes her own advice and ventures into the wild and colourful world of fashion journalism.

Soon Copper finds herself torn between two very different suitors, questioning who she is and what she truly wants. As the city rebuilds and opulence returns, can Copper make a new, love-filled life for herself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Oct 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543601862

Marius Gabriel

Marius Gabriel was accused by Cosmopolitan magazine of ‘keeping you reading while your dinner burns’. He served his author apprenticeship as a student at Newcastle University, where, to finance his postgraduate research, he wrote thirty-three steamy romances under a pseudonym. Gabriel is the author of several historical novels, including the bestsellers The Seventh Moon, The Original Sin and the Redcliffe Sisters series, Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye and Take Me To Your Heart Again. Born in South Africa, he has lived and worked in many countries, and now divides his time between London and Cairo. He has three grown-up children.

Reviews for The Designer

[bogopea · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Historical fiction account of American woman in Paris at the end of WWII and later. Moved to Paris to accompany her husband who was a news reporter. His job gave them the opportunity to mix with the rich and eclectic. She made friends with Christian Dior and other designers at the same time she divorced her cheating husband. In the end, she finds herself happily married and a mother. It is a chick lit book without a lot of drama or plot. I found I could skim over some pages and not miss anything key that was happening. The aspect of Paris in that era and the designers who were establishing themselves again after the war was the most interesting to me.

[Meg Blanchet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the character development and the historical context. Marius’ writing style is wonderful— the way he crafts his sentences and paints the picture through all your senses.

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story about fashion after wwii.

[gingersnap000 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A Historial Fiction read is an opportunity to explore a period of history. Paris during the beginnings of many legendary designer houses would interest any reader who has been a lover of fashion. I chose The Designer from a monthly selection of Kindle Free monthly read believing the novel would center around a famous designer; instead, the great Christian Dior is the protagonist's best friend.Copper is an American wife who follows her wealthy, handsome and vain husband to wartime Paris while he writes of his first-hand experiences during the war. Unfortunately, her husband is not as talented or intelligent journalist as his wife. His jealousy of his wife makes him a serial cheater and womanizer. Copper decides to divorce him and becoming a freelance journalist. Copper has the unrealistic luck of meeting many of the famous artist, writers, and fashion designers of the era. The story is so contrived mixed with some important issues such as being gay in a society that is homophobic. The novel jumps around from one issue to another and the romance of Copper and Count is too fake as well as Copper attachment to Suzy. I always finish a book but his one was torrid to read to the end.