Client Compatibility Designers, like a rtists, a re often courting their m uses for inspiration. They m ust also cultivate a rich and mea ningfu l re lationship with their patrons and those who will partner in pro moting their work, such as styl ists and celebrities. History provides examples of many successful pa irings of a rtiste and m use. Yves St. Lau rent had several prominent sou rces of creative illumination: former model and fashion icon Betty Catroux, designer Loulou de la Fa laise, and actress Catherine Deneuve, whom he also dressed for fi lms from Belle de Jour to The Hunger. A l ifetime friendship was the basis of the relationship between designer Hubert de G ivenchy and a ctress Audrey Hepburn. Over the years, many l ovely women have i nfluenced the House of Cha nel, but recently, head designer and creative director Karl Lagerfeld anointed actress Keira Knightley as the Chanel muse. And on the other side of the camera, film director Sofia Coppola is recognized as one of Marc Jacobs' strongest infl uences. H aving a h ighly visible i nd ividual incorporate your designs into her wardrobe can have a profound effect on a designer. U.S. First Lady M ichelle Obama is responsible for shining a l ight on many talented designers, such as I sabel Toledo and J ason Wu. Toledo has been designing since 1 985, but it was the inaugu ration suit that she designed for M rs. Obama that put her name on everyone's lips. Later that day, Jason Wu, a relative newcomer, having debuted his first collection in 2006, experienced the same transformation when Michelle Obama wore the now-famous wh ite gown he designed for her to the many inauguration balls. Whether it is the m use, the benefactor, or the mai nstay of every business-the customer-the best relationshi ps a re symb iotic ones where both sides learn and benefit from each other.