#42. Devon O'Brien Dressed in Pauline Trigère

Devon in Vogue's April 2008 issue wearing Pauline Trigere Jumpsuit

Devon O'Brien in "Terms of Endearment"

Devon in wedding dress modified by Ms.Trigere and veil made by Ms.Trigere

Devon O'Brien in Pauline Trigere cocktail dress

Devon with one of her Pauline Trigere dress.

Devon with Jessica during interview in LA.

Author and actress Devon O’Brien looks back with deep affection on her time as a house model at Trigère. In the early 1980’s, fresh from graduating with a Semiotic's degree from Brown University and having studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, she moved to New York to pursue her writing and acting career. Yet, an unexpected opportunity led her to Pauline Trigère’s showroom, where she would become Pauline’s house model - a role she stumbled upon and wrote about in her beautifully penned article for Vogue magazine [HERE]. During our interview in LA, Devon spoke about how a serendipitous circumstance led to her connection with Pauline and recalled her time there with great fondness.

Being a house model was, often, an exercise in patience. Long stretches of waiting until Pauline was ready for her, which was never the same time each day. “We all just waited for the ripple of her moment,” Devon recalls. Pauline would summon her with a simple gesture - wiggling her fingers to signal, “I need you.” The two would stand together in the atelier, surrounded by bolts of fabric and in front a three-way mirror, as Pauline draped the fabric on Devone’s body. For Devon, her role was to remain stationary, a skill she describes as essential to the job; “I had the gift of standing still.” The intimacy between them during the draping session was palpable, with the genius of Pauline’s hands becoming a language all its own. “It was very personal, intimate. It’s not a job for dummies,” Devon reflects. “You have to be sensitive to what the creator is doing.”

When not engaged in draping sessions, Devon would help with other tasks around the showroom. Sometimes she’d assist with assembling press clippings, carefully rubber-cementing them into a press book-an archaic but necessary task in a time before digital archives. And as the holiday season approached, Devon also assisted in wrapping hundreds of gifts to be sent out. Many gifts were bottles of Pauline’s signature perfumes, each one beautifully wrapped to convey more than a present but the essence of the House of Trigère.

One Christmas, Devon decided to make Pauline a bûche de Noël, a traditional French Yule log cake. Although she had never attempted such a feat before, Devon, with the blessing of enthusiastic ignorance, baked what she described as a “sad looking” cake in the end. Presenting the cake in a shoebox: “It was a mixture of shame and excitement,” she admits, aware that Pauline is used to receiving far grander gifts. Yet, a few days later, a heartfelt hand-written note came from Pauline:

“My darling Devon: I don’t know when I enjoyed receiving - and eating a more wonderful Christmas present. I loved it all - You making it for me, you devoting your time for me, thank you, thank you, the cake IS delicious. I’m still savoring it.  -  love to you with all my wishes to have your wishes come true, Pauline”

In the showroom, one never knows what mood Pauline would be in. “She was tempestuous. She was formidable. She was feared.” Devon paused then added: “I think I would put ‘fear’ first.”

Pauline’s mercurial temper is combined with her generosity. She often loaned garments for Devon’s busy social life after hours- Devon, who was dating a journalist at the time, frequently attended high-profile events. These clothes, many Pauline herself had worn, became treasured possessions. One exquisite backless jumpsuit, which Devon wore to a special event, was later featured in another Vogue article. It was not just the garments themselves that Devon held dear, but the personal connection, the sense that these pieces were imbued with Pauline’s own history.

As Devon’s acting career gained momentum, she began landing more theatre roles. Eventually leading her to resign from Trigère - a decision that deeply disappointed Pauline. Devon later appeared in the film Terms of Endearment alongside Jack Nicholson, Shirley McLaine and Debra Winger. Initially upset by Devon’s departure, Pauline’s feelings shifted when she saw the film. “I saw you in a movie!” Pauline said with a warm with approval tone when they ran into each other on the street. At that moment, Devon realized that Pauline’s initial anger had turned into pride.

Their connection went beyond typical employer-employee relationship. Pauline even introduced Devon to one of her son’s friends, who would later become her boyfriend. In a thoughtful gesture, Pauline also wrote to her niece Jane, asking her to host the couple when they traveled to Israel for vacation.

Devon eventually married another man, and Pauline’s affinity continued. For her wedding, Devon wore a blue taffeta dress with a dramatic pink overskirt at the rehearsal dinner, it was a Trigère dress that was featured in New Yorker magazine. And the most meaningful gift came from Pauline, who took on the challenging task of redesigning Devon’s grandmother’s wedding dress into a more modern version. The gown was altered by cutting away the upper bodice and replacing it with a delicate clear mesh. The process was complicated, especially given the difference in size, and at one point, Pauline lightly vexed and grumbled: “I should have just given you a very expensive wedding present instead.” Along with the dress, Pauline created a beautiful veil as a personal gift. When Devon walked into the Church of St. John the Divine, the sunlight filtered through the veil created a beautiful aura around her. “She made that magical moment because of her creation.”  Filled with gratitude, Devon wrote a heartfelt thank-you note in return. And when Pauline saw her again, with her deep gallic voice said, “THAT was quite a note.” Pauline’s thoughtfulness became a beautiful thread, weaving together the moments of Devon’s life in a way that still touches her today.

Though many saw Pauline as tough, Devon suspected she was deeply sensitive and often had to guard herself, which could come off as intimidating. Years later, Devon had a brief encounter with Pauline on Seventh Avenue while hailing a taxi. Devon, accompanied by someone else and couldn’t control the moment to speak with Pauline, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Pauline seemed lonely. Devon realized there was a vulnerable side to Pauline that few had seen, a vulnerability masked by her formidable front.