In August 2018 I profiled Doris Delevingne as one of the Mistresses of the Riviera and which used Mary Lovell's book as a primary reference. I'll be focusing on this unconventional woman more this month! The surname Delevingne has origins in French Belgium but she was raised British.
DORIS DELEVINGNE
Jesse Doris Delevingne
"The Girl With The Gloves"
1900 - 1942
Married Valentine Edward Charles Browne, Viscount Castlerosse in 1928
and became
Viscountess Castlerosse
Doris Delevingne was a woman born into a modest family without great riches but with aristocratic yearnings. Even elite women of her generation rarely were educated and were moved towards marriage rather than careers. She was not close to her parents and didn't come from a big warm family. Perhaps she realized that if she wanted to have an interesting life she would have to make it happen on her own. Unlike her mother, she was able to complete what would be considered to be grade school in the United States. However, as a young woman she defied expectations. She set up her own business in what was called "the rags trade," second hand, used clothing, a trade dominated by Jews.
An actress named Gertrude Lawrence, reportedly rather crude, was her first inspiration. Together the friends worked on themselves, such as attempting to have a more pleasing voices, though they both used foul language, and dressing in the latest fashions. Associating with actresses and chorus girls, Doris's business focused on reselling evening dresses but she was ambitious for herself - especially for good jewels. Doris was forthright with her opinions and the men she was attracted to were attracted to her; rebels, playboys, the unconventional people. She was discreet about naming her lovers and became predatory towards men. Did she use contraception? Yes. (There was also an element of society that used doctor-provided abortion, not saying she did.) However, some of her liaisons became known - and one of them was the married Winston Churchill.
One of her first conquests was the then Prince of Wales, who threw parties at Saint James palace. She mingled with the aspect of British aristocracy called "the adulterous set." (Think swingers.) But she did not evade marriage entirely. Instead she married badly. Her husband was no inspiration for faithfulness.
In my previous single post that focused on Doris as one of the Riviera set, this is what I said:
MISTRESS DORIS DELEVINGNE: THE MODEL WITH THE GOLDEN HAIR
In the summer of 1932, Maxine opened her villa for limited occupation. Located at the Golfe Juan between Antibes and Cannes, it would be open for the May to October season and rarely had more than 10 guests at a time but guests also brought their own staffs to stay.
Her best friend became Doris Delevingne, aka Doris Lady Castlerosse, who at 19 became a model, known for her gold hair. There was a saying about the sexual Doris that went, "An English Woman's castle is her bed." Doris fell for an American Polo Player who had no title but was rich, Stephen "Laddie" Sanford.
As his mistress, Doris was set up in her own smart little Park Lane apartment where she was looked after, though Laddie started another affair years later with her neighbor there. But when they split she got a good settlement!
Doris moved on and became the mistress of a Canadian financier who bought her a house in Mayfair, London. She had servants at the house and a chauffeur to drive her Rolls.
At 25, she was using the money she received as gifts from her lovers to make investments and also had a clothing business. Doris also opened a hair salon in the Chaps Elysee, Paris.
Doris liked to go shopping in Italy and would return with hundreds of leather shoes because she wore her stockings once and a pair of shoes only 2 or 3 times. She'd give her once worn stockings away to the less affluent daughters of the aristocracy who couldn't afford them. The flapper style suited her and so did wearing the flapper style without underwear.
Doris was well liked. She was warm hearted, clever and witty and made a party ignite. She never made quips at someone else's expense. She seemed to have unlimited energy as she went to Court Balls and Country House weekends..
She made the sign of the cross, saying "Tiara, Brooch, Clip, Clip!"
Then in 1926, Doris met Valentine Castlerosee, the Earl of Kenmare heir. He may have been near 300 pounds and have a boisterous personality but he thought Doris was sexy and elegant. They went out in London, Cannes, Deaville, Monte Carlo, and then they married. She got the title Viscountess Castlerosse.
The marriage was a disaster. He gambled and his debts grew. He had a temper. They both spent excessively on clothes. He was unfaithful but also jealous when she was. He wanted to proceed with a divorce due to her adultery but his mother told him not to: she wanted to save the family reputation.
Cara Delevingne, the model, is her great niece.
The primary reference for the above re- post is the book "The Riviera Set" by Mary Lovell
The Mistress of Mayfair
Men Money and Marriage of Doris Delevingne by Lyndsy Spence
Doris's life came to an end in 1942, not long after she returned to England after appealing to Winston Churchill to help her get a seat on a plane so she could leave America, where she was not a success. She commit suicide by poison in a hotel room.
Let's together learn more about this notorious seductress!
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