Esmé Gigi Genevieve Squalor is Count Olaf's girlfriend and the ex-wife of Jerome Squalor. Her name is likely a reference to the short story "For Esmé—with Love and Squalor" by J.D. Salinger. Prior to the events of the series, she was a professional stage actress and member of V.F.D. Esmé is distinguished by her very tall height and her obsession with high fashion. She often wears ridiculous outfits that she considers stylish. Lemony Snicket mentions that Esmé and Beatrice Baudelaire met for the first time at a Thursday tea party.