People often ask authors where their ideas come from; I’ve wondered myself. So, I thought I’d share the seeds that planted Constance, Viviane, and their world in my brain.
I’ve loved Golden Age mystery stories since I was in middle school. The works of Agatha Christie, Josephine Tey, and especially Dorothy Sayers inspired me. But I wanted fiction in the mode of these stories unencumbered by the racism, classism, and anti-Semitism common to the work of white, educated writers of the 1920s and 1930s.
I also loved the series Downton Abbey on PBS. I wondered what might have become of the characters of Mary, Edith, and Sybil Crawley had no heir been found. Thus, I fell down the rabbit hole of the rules of entail and the histories of various British aristocratic families. Constance and Viviane, although far more educated and from a much more progressive and eccentric family than the Crawleys, represent an attempt to answer my question.
Art Deco and the 1920s have always inspired me. I worked as a costume designer in my first career and accumulated a lot of knowledge about dress history at college and while working in theater and opera. The dozens of books in my library about fashion, jewelry, shoes, hairstyles, and the like, provided ample support for Viviane’s muse!
I also have personal objects that inspire me. After my grandmother died, I received a number of pieces of costume jewelry that I wear on occasion, including these earrings, bracelet, and shoe clips.
And, as the only person in the family with small feet, I received several pairs of vintage shoes owned by my great-grandmother. As you can see, she was quite the glamorous lady of the era.
Here are two pairs of her shoes and her coat, which directly inspired the coat Viviane designs in the first book of the series. You can see the beautiful blue velvet lining.
As a former designer, I’m a very visual person. I love maps and floor plans! I’ve made a couple to help me keep straight the layout of the Greys’ shop and office.
And, just for fun, here’s my idea of what Viviane’s sketch of the outfit she designed with Diana in mind might look like:
Thanks for visiting! As the series grows, please check back. I will be adding more about my sources and inspiration with each book.
Liz Helfrich 