Legendary Ladies of Fashion: The Models Who Dominated the 1950s Runways

Dorothea McGowan was an American model who rose to prominence during the 1950s. She appeared in various advertisements and magazine spreads and was known for her classic beauty and sophisticated style.

McGowan's modeling career took off in the mid-1950s, and she quickly became a sought-after model for high-end fashion brands. She was often photographed by famous fashion photographers such as Richard Avedon and Irving Penn.

McGowan also worked as an actress and appeared in several films during the 1950s and 1960s. She had a small but memorable role in the classic film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961).

Gita Hall was a Swedish-American model and actress who gained fame during the 1950s. She was known for her striking beauty and grace, and she quickly became a popular model in the fashion industry.

Hall's modeling career took off in the early 1950s, and she quickly became a favorite of high-end fashion brands such as Chanel and Christian Dior. She was often photographed by famous fashion photographers such as Richard Avedon and Irving Penn.

Hall also had a successful acting career. She appeared in several films and TV shows during the 1950s and 1960s, including the film "The Guns of Navarone" (1961).

Anne Gunning was an American model who gained widespread recognition during the 1950s. She was known for her classic beauty and sophisticated style, and she quickly became a popular model for high-end fashion brands.

Gunning's modeling career took off in the mid-1950s, and she quickly became a favorite of famous fashion photographers such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon. She was frequently featured in magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle, and she was known for her ability to bring clothes to life with her poise and grace.

Gunning also had a successful acting career. She appeared in several films and TV shows during the 1950s and 1960s, including the film "An American in Paris" (1951) and the TV show "The Twilight Zone" (1960).

Bettina Graziani was a French fashion model who gained international fame during the 1950s. She was known for her elegant and sophisticated style, and she quickly became a favorite of high-end fashion brands.

Graziani's modeling career began in the late 1940s, and she quickly rose to fame in the fashion world. She worked for many famous designers such as Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, and she was featured in magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She was also photographed by famous photographers such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon.

Graziani's unique and elegant style helped define the beauty and fashion standards of the 1950s. She was known for her poise and grace, and her influence can still be seen in the fashion industry today.

Graziani also had a successful career as a designer and a businesswoman. She opened her own boutique in Paris in the 1960s, and she continued to be a major figure in the fashion industry for many years.

Annemarie Margot Elfreda "Sunny" Harnett was an American model, actress, and casting director who had a successful career in the 1950s. She began her modeling career as a teenager and quickly rose to fame, appearing in many high-profile fashion magazines, including Vogue.

Harnett was known for her striking beauty, and she often worked with the top photographers of the day, including Richard Avedon and Irving Penn. She was also known for her versatility, modeling everything from high fashion to swimsuits and lingerie.

Harnett also had success as an actress, appearing in a number of films and television shows. She later became a casting director, working on films such as The Thomas Crown Affair and The Great Gatsby.

Dina Merrill was an American actress, socialite, and model who had a successful career in the 1950s. She was known for her striking beauty and sophistication, which made her a popular choice for high-end fashion magazines and advertisements.

Merrill began her modeling career in the 1940s, and by the 1950s, she was one of the most sought-after models in the industry. She appeared in many high-profile magazines, including Vogue, and was also featured in advertisements for major brands like Lux and General Motors.

Merrill had a successful career as an actress, appearing in dozens of films and television shows over the course of several decades. Her talent and beauty made her a standout in Hollywood, and she was admired for her elegance and style both on and off screen.

Jean Patchett was an American model who rose to fame in the 1950s. She was known for her classic beauty, with high cheekbones, full lips, and a defined jawline, and became one of the most photographed models of the era.

Patchett's modeling career began in the late 1940s, and by the 1950s, she was a regular fixture in magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She was particularly popular with photographers such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, who appreciated her elegant and sophisticated look.

Patchett's success helped to redefine the standards of beauty in the fashion industry, and she inspired a generation of young women with her effortless style and grace. She also paved the way for future models, breaking down barriers and demonstrating that a career in modeling was a viable option for women of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Lisa Fonssagrives was a Swedish-born model who became one of the most famous models of the 1950s. She is often considered the world's first supermodel, and her distinctive look and elegant style helped to define the era.

Fonssagrives began her modeling career in the 1930s, but it wasn't until the 1950s that she rose to fame. She was known for her tall, slender frame and her ability to strike dramatic poses. She was a favorite model of photographers like Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, and she appeared on the covers of magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

Fonssagrives' modeling career was marked by her versatility and her ability to adapt to changing fashions. She was equally at home in couture gowns and swimsuits, and she inspired designers with her elegant style and grace.

Carmen Dell'Orefice is an American model and actress who started her career in the 1940s, but it was in the 1950s that she became a true fashion icon. Her striking features, including her high cheekbones, long neck, and silver hair, made her a favorite of photographers and designers.

In the 1950s, Dell'Orefice appeared on the covers of magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar and worked with some of the most famous photographers of the era, including Irving Penn and Richard Avedon. She was also a muse to designers like Salvador Dali and Christian Dior.

Despite a brief hiatus from modeling in the 1960s, Dell'Orefice's career continued to thrive in the decades that followed. She has become a symbol of ageless beauty, and at the age of 88, she continues to model and inspire others in the industry.

Dorian Leigh was an American model who had a major impact on the fashion industry during the 1950s. With her stunning looks and dynamic personality, she quickly became a top model and a favorite of many prominent photographers and designers.

During the 1950s, Leigh appeared on numerous magazine covers, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Life. She was known for her versatile look and ability to adapt to different styles, making her a sought-after model for a variety of fashion campaigns.

Leigh was also known for her entrepreneurial spirit, and she started her own modeling agency in the late 1950s, which helped to launch the careers of many other successful models. She continued to work in the industry throughout the 1960s and beyond, and her legacy as one of the greatest models of all time lives on to this day.

Jinx Falkenburg was an American model, actress, and television personality who rose to fame during the 1940s and 1950s. She was known for her stunning looks, athletic ability, and charismatic personality, which made her a favorite of both photographers and the public.

During the 1950s, Falkenburg continued to model for major fashion brands and was featured on the cover of many magazines, including Life, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar. She was also known for her work as a television personality, hosting her own show called "The Jinx Falkenburg Show" and appearing on other programs as a guest.

Falkenburg was admired not only for her beauty, but also for her intelligence and athleticism. She was an accomplished tennis player and often promoted physical fitness and healthy living in her work.

Suzy Parker was an American model and actress who became one of the most famous models of the 1950s. Her modeling career began when she was discovered by the fashion photographer, Horst P. Horst, in the early 1950s. She quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the highest-paid models of the era.

Parker's striking looks, with her unusual green eyes and red hair, made her a favorite of many fashion photographers, including Richard Avedon and Irving Penn. She was featured on the covers of many magazines, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Life, and became the first model to earn $100,000 a year.

In addition to her modeling career, Parker also acted in films, including "Funny Face" and "Ten North Frederick". She was praised for her beauty, grace, and talent both on and off the screen.

Anne St. Marie was an American model who rose to fame in the 1950s, becoming one of the top models of the era. Her unique look, with her short hair and distinctive eyebrows, set her apart from other models of the time.

St. Marie's career took off when she was discovered by the fashion photographer Lillian Bassman. She quickly became a favorite of many fashion photographers, including Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and Hiro. Her modeling work appeared in many major magazines, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Life.

St. Marie was known for her elegance and poise, as well as her ability to bring a sense of personality and character to her photographs. She was particularly famous for her work in the "New Look" style, which featured full skirts and tight waists, and for her appearances in iconic fashion campaigns.

Marla English was an American actress and model who rose to fame in the 1950s. She began her career as a model, appearing in advertisements for popular brands like Pepsi and Ivory soap.

English then transitioned to acting, and her first film role was in the 1952 film "The Sniper". She went on to appear in several other films throughout the decade, including "The She-Creature" and "Voodoo Woman". Despite her success, English was often typecast in horror and science fiction films.

English also appeared on television, with guest roles on popular shows like "Perry Mason" and "The Lone Ranger". While her acting career slowed down in the 1960s, she continued to work as a model and made occasional appearances in films and television. She later became a successful businesswoman, running a successful interior design firm in Los Angeles.

Nancy Berg was an American model and actress who gained popularity during the 1950s. She was born on September 23, 1930, in Beverly Hills, California, and started her modeling career in New York City. Nancy's striking looks and height of 5'11" made her a popular choice for high-fashion modeling, and she appeared on the covers of several major magazines, including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She was also one of the top models of the Ford Agency.

Nancy transitioned to acting in the late 1950s, making her film debut in "The Big Circus" in 1959. She appeared in several other films throughout the 1960s, including "Take Her, She's Mine" and "Goodbye Charlie." Nancy retired from acting in 1970 to focus on raising her family. She passed away on March 18, 2014, at the age of 83.

Anita Ekberg was a Swedish model and actress who rose to fame in the 1950s. She began her modeling career in the Miss Malmö competition in 1950 and went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in 1951. Her stunning looks and statuesque figure soon caught the attention of Hollywood producers and she was signed to a contract with Universal Pictures.

Ekberg's breakthrough role came in the 1959 film "La Dolce Vita," directed by Federico Fellini. Her iconic scene of wading through the Trevi Fountain in Rome in a black strapless gown remains one of the most memorable moments in film history. Ekberg went on to appear in several other films, including "War and Peace" and "Boccaccio '70".

Ekberg's modeling and acting career continued into the 1960s and beyond, and she remained a beloved icon of beauty and glamour until her death in 2015.

Gloria Vanderbilt was a prominent American fashion model during the 1950s. She began her modeling career at the age of 15, appearing in Harper's Bazaar and other major magazines. Her stunning beauty, poise, and style quickly made her a favorite of top photographers and designers.

In 1954, Vanderbilt caused a sensation when she appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar wearing a tight-fitting swimsuit with the words "15 minutes of fame" written on it. The image became an iconic representation of the era's youth and vitality.

As her modeling career flourished, Vanderbilt also became a designer, launching her own line of clothing and accessories in the 1970s. She continued to be a prominent figure in the fashion world throughout her life, inspiring generations of designers and models with her timeless elegance and effortless style.

Carol Morris was an American model and beauty queen, who won the Miss Universe pageant in 1956. Her victory was significant because it was the first time a contestant from the United States had won the title since the pageant's inception in 1952.

After winning the crown, Morris went on to become a successful model, appearing in magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour. She also appeared on television shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Steve Allen Show. Morris' success as a model and beauty queen helped to pave the way for future generations of models and beauty pageant contestants. She later worked as a television producer and host, and remained active in the fashion and entertainment industry throughout her career.

Maggie McNamara was an American actress and model who gained recognition for her performance in the film "The Moon Is Blue" in 1953. The success of the film led to a Hollywood contract for McNamara, and she appeared in a few other films in the 1950s, including "Three Coins in the Fountain" and "Prince of Players". However, her career was short-lived, and she retired from acting in 1963.

McNamara was also a successful model in the 1950s, working for agencies such as John Robert Powers and appearing in publications such as Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. Her striking features and slender figure made her a popular choice for photographers of the time. However, McNamara struggled with depression and personal issues throughout her life, and tragically took her own life in 1978 at the age of 49.

Brigitte Bardot is a French actress, singer, and fashion model who rose to fame in the 1950s. She began her career as a model at the age of 15 and soon became a sensation due to her unique beauty and charisma. Her modeling career reached new heights when she appeared on the cover of Elle magazine at the age of 18.

Bardot's success as a model led to a career in film, and she made her debut in the 1952 film "Crazy for Love". She quickly became known for her stunning looks and captivating on-screen presence, starring in a number of successful French and international films throughout the decade, including "And God Created Woman" and "The Truth". Bardot's iconic style and effortless beauty made her a cultural icon of the 1950s and beyond.

Jane Russell was a Hollywood actress and model who rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s. She began her modeling career in the 1940s, posing for pin-up pictures that were popular among American soldiers during World War II. Her work in these photos caught the eye of Hollywood producers, and she was offered a contract with Howard Hughes' RKO Pictures.

Russell's breakthrough role came in the 1943 film "The Outlaw," in which she played the lead female character, Rio McDonald. The film was controversial for its sexual content and was heavily censored, but it helped to make Russell a star. She went on to appear in a number of other successful films, including "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953), "The French Line" (1954), and "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes" (1955).

In addition to her acting career, Russell continued to model throughout the 1950s, appearing in numerous magazines and advertisements. She was known for her curvaceous figure and her sultry, glamorous style, and she remains an iconic figure in both the modeling and film industries.

Wilhelmina Cooper was a Dutch-born American model, businesswoman, and founder of the Wilhelmina modeling agency. In the 1950s, Cooper moved to the United States and began working as a model for various magazines, including Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. She quickly gained popularity for her unique look, which combined her angular facial features with a graceful and elegant demeanor.

After several years of successful modeling, Cooper retired and founded her own modeling agency in 1967, which she named after herself. Her agency quickly became known for its professionalism, representing models who were not only beautiful but also intelligent and talented. Under Cooper's leadership, the Wilhelmina agency became one of the most successful in the world, launching the careers of many famous models and setting new industry standards for professionalism and ethics.

Ivy Nicholson was an American model and actress who rose to prominence in the 1950s. She became known for her work with photographer Irving Penn and appeared in a number of high-profile advertising campaigns for clients such as Revlon, Max Factor, and Helena Rubinstein.

Nicholson was also a popular subject for magazine covers, appearing on the front of publications such as Harper's Bazaar and Cosmopolitan. Her striking looks, which were characterized by high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a distinctive gap between her front teeth, helped to set her apart from other models of the era.

Nicholson also acted in a number of films, including "Les Girls" and "Some Like It Hot". Despite her success in both fields, she retired from the entertainment industry in the early 1960s to focus on raising her family.

Evelyn Tripp was a successful American model and actress in the 1950s. She began her career as a model in New York and quickly gained attention for her elegant look and poise. She appeared in several high-profile advertising campaigns and became a popular cover girl for magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

Tripp also pursued a career in acting. She made her film debut in the 1949 musical "Jolson Sings Again" and went on to appear in several other films throughout the 1950s. She also had a successful career on stage, appearing in several Broadway productions.

Tripp's career slowed down in the 1960s, but she continued to work occasionally as a model and actress. She eventually retired from the entertainment industry and became a successful real estate agent. Tripp passed away in 1993 at the age of 69.

Jeanne Carmen was an American model, actress, and dancer who became well-known in the 1950s. She was often featured in men's magazines such as Playboy and Esquire, as well as in films such as Untamed Youth and Born Reckless.

Carmen's modeling career began when she moved to Los Angeles and was discovered by Howard Hughes. She quickly became one of his favorite models and was featured in several of his films. Carmen was known for her curvaceous figure, bright red hair, and sultry looks, which made her a popular pin-up model during the 1950s.

Carmen was also a well-known personality in Hollywood circles, and she counted Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe among her friends. She later became a successful country singer and continued to perform into the 21st century. Carmen's legacy as a sex symbol of the 1950s endures to this day.

Barbara Mullen (1923-1979) was an American model and actress. She was born on June 9, 1923, in Long Island, New York. Mullen began her modeling career in the 1940s and quickly became one of the top models of the decade. She worked for top designers such as Chanel, Dior, and Balenciaga and appeared in advertisements for major brands like Elizabeth Arden and Revlon.

Mullen was also a favorite of photographers such as Richard Avedon and Irving Penn and was featured in numerous magazines, including Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. In the 1950s, she transitioned to acting and appeared in films such as "The Ten Commandments" (1956) and "The Rat Race" (1960).

Mullen was known for her striking looks and impeccable style, and she helped to define the glamour of the 1940s and 1950s. She died on February 5, 1979, at the age of 55.

Sandra Giles was an American actress and model, born on July 24, 1932, in Hooker, Oklahoma, and passed away on December 25, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. She began her career as a model and appeared on the cover of several magazines, including Life and Playboy. She later transitioned to acting and appeared in numerous television shows and films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "Perry Mason," "Batman," "The Munsters," and "Operation Petticoat."

Elsa Martinelli was an Italian actress and model, born on January 13, 1935, in Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy. She began her career as a model in the early 1950s, working for well-known fashion designers such as Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. She later transitioned to acting, and her first major role was in the 1956 film "Donatella".

Martinelli gained international fame for her role in the 1960 film "La Dolce Vita" directed by Federico Fellini, where she played the role of a beautiful movie star, and for which she received critical acclaim. She went on to act in several other notable films, including "Hatari!" (1962) with John Wayne, "The V.I.P.s" (1963) with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and "The 10th Victim" (1965) with Marcello Mastroianni.

Martinelli was also an advocate for animal rights and worked with various organizations to protect animals. She passed away on July 8, 2017, at the age of 82.