Myrtle Mathers has lost her tailor father and her mother has been forced to move back to Ireland. Myrtle has stayed in London and she is sent to work as a maid with the Cartwright family. It is 1926 and it is the debutante season. Sylvia Cartwright is too young to be "out" but her sister has been presented at court and she is now ready to attend a series of balls with the purpose of finding a wealthy husband. None of this interests Sylvia. She is more interested in drawing, especially drawing stage costumes and elaborate clothes. When Myrtle arrives in their household it seems like the perfect match. Myrtle has worked with her father since she was a young child. She is a very skilled seamstress and she can interpret drawings in to patterns.
The problem here, though, is one of class. Myrtle is a servant. Sylvia is a lady. Myrtle cannot afford to loose her job but Sylvia is a wild girl who encourages Myrtle to take bigger and bigger risks - making a daring ball gown firstly for Sylvia's sister Delphine and then for Sylvia's friend Agapantha Portland-Price who wants to escape the world of debutantes and travel to the Amazon. Agapantha will attend her ball before she runs away but she is determined to wear pants - this is sure to cause a huge scandal.
I also loved the clothing sketches and designs.
Here is a text quote to give you a flavour of this book. In this scene Agapantha is wearing her disguise so she looks like a young man when she sets off on the voyage to the Amazon.
"See how I am just eating away at this apple? Mother says ladies should never eat in public. I mean, I could go anywhere right now and no one would say a word. I could climb that tree without getting my skirt caught or being told off for being unladylike. I could buy a bicycle from Harrods and ride it right through the park. I feel like everyone looks at you differently, or more they don't even notice you."
This is a story which will really sweep you away to the glamorous times of the 1920s. There are some tiny issues of credibility in this story but really you just need to put these aside and just enjoy meeting Myrtle and Syliva. For example it seems quite impossible that Myrtle could work really hard all day in her job as a maid and then spend all night sewing very elaborate clothes. We know her fingers are worked until they are red raw but surely she did need some sleep. Her work certainly made me feel very tired.
The descriptions of the outfits are divine and to be coveted! My Shelves are Full
A charming tale of sisterhood woven together with fashion, history, and subterfuge. Kirkus
Here is an alternate cover:
This book is the first in a planned series. Take a look at the Usborne Books trailer. Book two will arrive in 2022 with the title Movie Stars and Mystery.
Companion reads - first off one for younger readers followed by two which would be perfect for readers aged 10+.
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