Françoise Schluter’s story begins in the quaint settings of Cambridge, where the Swiss beauty was pursuing her studies in languages. To earn pocket money, Schluter worked at a local pub, a decision that would unknowingly set the stage for her life to change dramatically. It was here that she met Franco Rubartelli, a meeting that blossomed into love, leading the couple to embark on a life together. Their union, marked by shared dreams and aspirations, soon welcomed a son, Luigi, and the family made Rome their home.
A Fateful Night and a Fortuitous Photograph
One evening, in what can only be described as a twist of fate, Franco Rubartelli discovered a camera in their apartment. With no prior experience in photography and without the trappings of a traditional photo shoot—no stylists, hair, or makeup artists—Rubartelli asked his wife to pose for him on a beach. The pictures he took that night, driven by a mix of fear of loss and a desire to capture the essence of the woman he loved, were raw, infused with a sense of longing, youth, and an unbridled sense of freedom. These qualities, so starkly different from the formal fashion photographs of the era, would soon catapult Françoise into the limelight.
Curious about the potential of these photographs, Rubartelli inquired with his wife about the most prestigious fashion magazine, and upon learning it was Vogue, he took a gamble. After scraping together some money to develop the film, he sent the photographs to the magazine, hoping for a response but expecting little.
The Telegram That Changed Everything
The reply from Vogue came not just as a response but as a validation of Rubartelli’s raw talent and Françoise’s natural beauty and charisma. A telegram from none other than Diana Vreeland, the legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue, arrived, stating: “Beautiful model, beautiful pictures, will get in touch with you.” This message was the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that would see Françoise Rubartelli gracing the pages of Vogue, starting with their first story in the August 1964 issue. Working alongside Consuelo Crespi, the magazine’s editor in Rome, the photographer-model duo began to make their mark in the fashion world.
The Muse of the 60s Fashion
Françoise Rubartelli’s ascendance to fashion stardom was not just a testament to her beauty but also to the era’s changing dynamics, where spontaneity, natural charm, and authenticity began to take precedence over staged perfection. Her photographs, characterized by a sense of freedom and an almost candid portrayal of beauty, resonated with the 1960s youth, making her an icon of the time.
