Betty Catroux

Betty Catroux (born Betty Saint in 1945) is a former Chanel model,[1] and fashion icon. She has been cited as a muse by both Yves Saint Laurent and Tom Ford.

Early life

She was born in 1945,[2] the only child of Carmen Saint, a Brazil-born French socialite,[3][4] and Elim O'Shaughnessy (1907–1966), an American diplomat.

Modeling career

Saint Laurent has called her his twin sister[5] and referred to her as his female incarnation.[6] Tom Ford was so inspired by her that he dedicated his debut YSL Rive Gauche collection to her.[5] When asked about her fashion sense, Catroux said that she has “dressed the same way practically since I was born. I don’t dress as a woman. I’m not interested in fashion at all."[7]

Catroux is famed for her long white-blond hair, lanky body, gaunt features, and androgynous appearance.[8] Catroux and Saint Laurent met, according to her, in Regine's, a "very, very gay" nightclub in Paris, in the 1960s. They had a friendly relationship until his death. Reminiscing on their friendship, Catroux said: "I had a fairytale life with him."[7]

Personal life

In 1968, Betty Saint married French interior decorator François Catroux, a grandson of General Georges Catroux. The couple have two daughters: Maxime, a book editor at Flammarion,[9] and Daphné, who is married to Count Charles-Antoine Morand.[10]

References

  1. "Yves in New York". Time. 1968-09-27. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  2. Vogue.com: Betty Catroux
  3. "Alexis de Rede". New York Social Diary. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  4. "Social Diary 10/17/05 - Paris dateline/Geneology". Newyorksocialdiary.com. 2006-04-23. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  5. 1 2 Laird Borrelli. "Betty Catroux: Beauty Icon". Style.com. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  6. Suzy Menkes (2006-09-04). "Karl and Yves in the Decadent '70s". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  7. 1 2 "A Moment With Betty Catroux". SFLuxe. 29 October 2008.
  8. Suzy Menkes (2002-01-08). "Saint Laurent Designs an Elegant Exit". International Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on December 10, 2006. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  9. "Maxime Catroux - France" (in French). LinkedIn. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
  10. "French flair: Daphne Catroux weds count Charles-Antoine Morand June 15, 2002".


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