Classic Supermodels of the 40s and 50s

A collection of photographs of the original high-fashion supermodels of the 1940s and 50s.

The Models [featured in order, with three photographs each]:
Linda Fonssagrives
Evelyn Tripp
Bettina Graziana
Dovima
Dorian Leigh
Jean Patchett
Mary Jane Russell
Georgia Hamilton
Suzy Parker

The Song:
"Wind It Up" by Gwen Stefani. I do not own the rights to this song or the photographs.

Enjoy =]

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Old
• Hollywood
• Clothes
• Christian
• Dior
• Coco
• Chanel
• Vogue
• Supermodel
• High
• Fashion
• 1940s
• 1950s
• OneTrueMedia
• Couture

[crossy70]

How did Dorian Leigh keep her waist soooooooooo TINY after having 5 kids and numerous abortions?

[OldHollywood93]

Well, I don't know if this is the case for Ms Leigh...But I do know that up until the 1970s, it wasn't uncommon for doctors to prescribe women dieting pills while pregnant [if they felt that the women had gained too much weight while pregnant]

Also, virtually everyone smoked in those times and it really does kill one's appetite.

[OldHollywood93]

@crossy70 The Models [featured in order, with three photographs each]: Linda Fonssagrives Evelyn Tripp Bettina Graziana Dovima Dorian Leigh Jean Patchett Mary Jane Russell Georgia Hamilton Suzy Parker

[hippocampus23]

I admire Lisa Fonssagrives' contribution to the modeling profession. She and Dorien Leigh were the first pioneers (if you don't Charles Frederick Worth's wife). Lisa brought in modern dance in terms of posing and emotion. She always had the elegance and sophisticated image in each photograph. It's the epitome of ladiness.

[OldHollywood93]

It's funny that you say that, because Lisa and Dorian are my favorit supermodels ever.

I love the photo of Lisa posing on top of the Eiffel Tower for a Dior ad.

Dior did that as again last recently with Marion Cotillard posing.

But the Eiffel Towerwas photoshopped in, not like Lisa's daring photo.

[hippocampus23]

Lisa is my favorite supermodel too. The funny thing about people's surprised reaction to her 17-inch waistline is she would carry a tape measure in her purse to prove their suspicions false! Haha. She had this unique diet of 10 small meals throughout the day, so it was eating every hour. Not alot of people can do that. I liked Lisa's creativity in the pictures. Some of my favorite ones were for Horst.

[OldHollywood93]

Wow. I did not know that.

She must have been born to model.

Yes, those pictures I think really showed the shape and angles of her body and face.

Plus, the outfits and hats was to die for.

[tortoni900]

@gradusm Actually, mannequin was and still is the French word for those women who modelled primarily Haute Couture. However, you are correct that if you were to Google the term in English pages the results will show the plastic doll for displaying clothes.

[cocorita5]

they were anorexic back then too.....how crazy!!!!

[gradusm]

@tortoni900 if you googles mannequin you would get a plastic doll for displaying clothes. i do not think the title is refering the technical term for models in the 50's

[gradusm]

@crossy70  it's called waist training by using a corset, plus dieting

[bobduvar]

The music DOES NOT FIT at all with the video !!!!

[pics2share]

Its nice to see models wearing clothing that could actually and realistically be

worn on an outing. Too many designers today are highly overrated, and seem

more concerned with showing how "creative" they are, fashioning something

that can only be worn on a catwalk, or some controlled setting. Dresses with

antlers, and similar foolishness. Bring back genuine fashion!

[opredeleno]

These pictures are absolutely fantastic and modern photographers and stylists can learn a lot from every single one of them. They reek of the words gorgeous, sensous and fabulous. And in today's magazines there's above all this strive for coolness that has eventually transformed into pure coldness. I love not only the outfits and the settings, but also the looks in the eyes of those models. Pure sensuality!

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

Real beauty.

George Vreeland Hill

[tortoni900]

This title is wrong. These glamorous women were known as Mannequins. Not super-models which is a most obnoxious term that only serves to accentuate the vulgarity of today, not the elegance and glamour of yesteryear.

[Breton2Robert]

This is excellent. Thank You